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Alkoc, E and Erbatur, F (1998) Simulation in concreting operations: a comparison of models and resource combinations. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 159–73.

Back, W E and Sanders, S R (1998) Industry expectations for engineering graduates. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 137–43.

Ezulike, E L and Hoare, D J (1998) The need for education in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 144–9.

Faniran, O O and Caban, G (1998) Minimizing waste on construction project sites. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 182–8.

Hansen, K L, MGann, D and Groák, S (1998) Information technology decision support and business process change in the USA. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 115–26.

Hindle, R D and Rwelamila, P D (1998) Resistance to change: architectural education in a turbulent environment. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 150–8.

Junnonen, J M (1998) Strategy formation in construction firms. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 107–14.

Loosemore, M and Hughes, K (1998) Emergency systems in construction contracts. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 189–98.

Luiten, G T and Fischer, M A (1998) Opportunities for computer-aided design for construction. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 127–36.

Proverbs, D G, Holt, G D and Olomolaiye, P O (1998) A comparative evaluation of concrete placing productivity rates amongst French, German and UK construction contractors. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 5(02), 174–81.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: concrete; cost; Europe; labour; productivity; site operation
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0969-9988
  • URL: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1365-232X.1998.00055.x/abs
  • Abstract:
    The present investigation utilizes a bespoke methodology to analyse and compare the productivity rates of contractors' planning engineers for concrete placing operations amongst three European construction industries, namely Germany, France and the UK. An analysis of variance was used to investigate differences between the productivity rates. Based on such rates, the analysis shows that German contractors achieve the most efficient levels of labour productivity for this particular operation, whilst amongst the sample surveyed, British contractors are less productive than French and German companies. Although leading British contractors can compete with the best on the continent, the least productive companies in the UK sample were inferior to the least productive in France and Germany. Using national all-in rates for labour, actual (labour) costs for this concrete operation were calculated to be lowest in France despite French wage rates being marginally higher than in the UK. This was because of the superior labour output of French contractors. The apparent lower productivity of British firms sampled in the present research concurs with the findings of two other international studies, indicating that the methodology utilized can provide meaningful and accurate productivity information.