Assessing the effectiveness of communication in construction project team performance in selected metropolises in Ghana

Abstract

Challenges often arise on construction project sites in connection with communication relating to many issues bordering on the construction project site. Despite wide recognition of the importance of communication within the construction industry, a combination of organisational and personal factors invariably render communication within project sites ineffective. The aim of the study was examined how communication among project team members in construction project sites affect construction project performance in Ghana. The researcher employed a cross sectional survey research design in conducting the study. Survey questionnaire were administered to a total of 167 individual project team members of 16 construction project sites undertaken by 16 purposely selected D1k1 construction firms in the Accra and Kumasi Metropolises. Analysis of the data was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 20). The findings of the study showed that the communication channels used often by the project teams included meetings, telephone calls, face-to-face interactions and drawings. With regards to the communication platforms, the findings show although different platforms were used, personal communication platforms (calls, emails, face-to-face interaction) was the most important for the project teams. The finding also show that the effectiveness of project team communication based on the dimensions of accuracy, clarity of procedure, understandable, timeliness and completeness had significant effect on project performance. All the five dimensions of communication had positive effects on project performance but the effects of understandable and clarity of procedure were the only ones that were statistically significant. The findings further revealed that poor listening skills of team members, unclear communication objective, unclear channels of communication and limited resources are the major barriers to effective communication among project team members. The major drivers of communication noted included extent of coordination among project team members, timeliness of access to information, understanding the language(s) and culture of team members. The study recommends concerted efforts in line with the study finding be made by project team members aimed at enhancing the performance of projects.