| Abstract: | In a globalized and knowledge-based economy, quality and productivity management are
keys to an organization’s success and survival in a competitive global environment. Many
construction organizations therefore have to adopt quality and productivity as reliable
management tools. These elements are primarily important inputs which lead directly or
indirectly to the success of the construction industries. Construction is the major driving
factor of the current Ethiopian economy, but current such practice in the Ethiopian building
construction projects is still facing delays, cost overruns, poor quality and low productivity.
Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the practices and challenges of motivating
employees to improve quality and productivity in the Ethiopian Construction Design and
Supervision Works Corporation. To achieve this objective, case study qualitative research
design was employed. Thirty-five informants were used as samples to generate the required
qualitative data through in-depth interviews with case informants through probing, semistructured
interviews with key informants, and conducting documentary analysis method
using interview guide, and documentary analysis template as data collection instruments,
respectively. Thematic analysis and content analysis methods were used to analyze the data
collected from different sources. Thematic issues emerged in data analyses were used to
answer study questions and address the objectives. Findings reveal that top management
mostly used non-financially related extrinsic motivational mechanisms in differential manner
between experts and administrative staff in its different Sectors, Centres, and Corporate
Service. Concomitantly, there were multi-faceted challenges encountered which had
emanated from various factors while trying to improve quality and productivity in those
divisions of the Corporation. Therefore, these findings have implications for business policy,
professionals, interventions, and for further studies at different levels and various contexts at
large. |
