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Characteristics of the Construction Industry in Developing Countries and Its Implications for Health and Safety: An Exploratory Study in Ghana

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  • Elijah Frimpong Boadu

    (Faculty of Built Environment, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Cynthia Changxin Wang

    (Faculty of Built Environment, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Riza Yosia Sunindijo

    (Faculty of Built Environment, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

Abstract

From both practical and theoretical perspectives, understanding the health and safety (H&S) implications of the characteristics and foundation upon which the construction industry in developing countries is built and operates is essential for H&S management within the industry. While many studies have provided evidence of factors affecting construction H&S in developing countries, none has fully considered the H&S implications of the industry’s characteristics. The current study thus examined how the peculiar characteristics of the construction industry in developing countries impact on the industry’s H&S management. Data were collected using questionnaire surveys from construction industry professionals in Ghana. Nine distinct characteristics were identified and ranked, as well as their relationships and statistical significance determined through correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA), respectively. The findings showed that these characteristics of the construction industry in developing countries, particularly the lack of skilled and educated workforce, reliance on labour intensive methods and lack of single regulatory authority, present huge challenges to the management of H&S. Accordingly, this research recommended strategic interventions which are tailored towards the context of the industry’s characteristics. With the construction industry in developing countries exhibiting similar characteristics, the findings of this research can serve as a framework for country-specific study. The study contributes to the broader H&S performance improvement research in developing countries by throwing light on the characteristics of the industry that pose challenges to H&S performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Elijah Frimpong Boadu & Cynthia Changxin Wang & Riza Yosia Sunindijo, 2020. "Characteristics of the Construction Industry in Developing Countries and Its Implications for Health and Safety: An Exploratory Study in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:4110-:d:369163
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kwabena Asomanin Anaman & Charity Osei-Amponsah, 2007. "Analysis of the causality links between the growth of the construction industry and the growth of the macro-economy in Ghana," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(9), pages 951-961.
    2. Andrew Dainty & Geoffrey Briscoe & Sarah Millett, 2001. "Subcontractor perspectives on supply chain alliances," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(8), pages 841-848.
    3. Jill Wells, 2007. "Informality in the construction sector in developing countries," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 87-93.
    4. George Ofori, 2000. "Globalization and construction industry development: research opportunities," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 257-262.
    5. Peter Darvas & Robert Palmer, 2014. "Demand and Supply of Skills in Ghana : How Can Training Programs Improve Employment?," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 18866.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shitao Gong & Xin Gao & Zhou Li & Linyan Chen, 2021. "Developing a Dynamic Supervision Mechanism to Improve Construction Safety Investment Supervision Efficiency in China: Theoretical Simulation of Evolutionary Game Process," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-29, March.
    2. Albert P. C. Chan & Junfeng Guan & Tracy N. Y. Choi & Yang Yang & Guangdong Wu & Edmond Lam, 2023. "Improving Safety Performance of Construction Workers through Learning from Incidents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Eric Adzivor & Fidelis Emuze & Moses Ahiabu & Moses Kusedzi, 2024. "Scaling up a Positive Safety Culture among Construction Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-18, June.
    4. M. R. Ibrahim & D. U. Muhammad & B. Muhammad & J. O. Alaezi & J. Agidani, 2023. "The Key to Organizational and construction Excellence: A Study of Total Quality Management," Papers 2305.13104, arXiv.org.
    5. Ornella Tanga & Opeoluwa Akinradewo & Clinton Aigbavboa & Ayodeji Oke & Samuel Adekunle, 2022. "Data Management Risks: A Bane of Construction Project Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, October.

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