Purpose: This study aims to determine the effects of sexism and unfavourable job conditions on women's mental and physical wellbeing in construction operations. In addition, this study will establish the mediating role of work morale in the association between workplace challenges and wellbeing.Design/methodology/approach: Data for this study were obtained from women working in office environments, onsite professionals and those in trades. A total of 65 participants responded to the survey. The partial least square structural equation modelling method was applied to validate the measurement model and test the hypotheses.Findings: The findings demonstrate that benevolent and hostile sexism directly influences work morale and indirectly affects women's mental and physical wellbeing in the construction industry. Hostile sexism is the most significant challenge for female construction workers in New Zealand.Research limitations/implications: The finding is theory-building and challenges the assumptions that the nature of the construction industry has a bearing on the mental and physical health of women in construction. In addition, the finding is useful for creating positive work environments that are both inclusive and empathetic to the diverse needs of the modern-day construction workforce. Thus, reducing the challenges experienced by construction women's workforce.Originality/value: The current study focuses on women and those who identified themselves as such. The conclusions show the relevance of work morale to their mental wellbeing. This exploratory quantitative study contributes to research by advancing understanding of the challenges women face in the industry and the consequences of those challenges on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Skill availability is an important component in the uptake of prefabrication and plays a crucial role in housing supply. However, the challenge is that the demand for housing has outgrown the availability of specifically trained workers. This challenge is not unique to New Zealand; many developed countries worldwide are facing similar issues. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine relevant skills in the prefabricated residential construction sector in New Zealand (NZ) and suggest improvement measures from the standpoint of industry stakeholders. The study adopted a semi-structured online survey and administered it to multiple construction industry practitioners. The study found the training of the construction workforce as one significant area of focus. In addition, external sourcing of international prefabrication-specific skilled workers could improve the issues of skill shortages in the residential prefabrication sector. Furthermore, the study revealed that the barriers to healthier prefabrication uptake are closely linked to shortages in management, digital architecture and design, and vocational skills related to residential construction. The study has contributed to the current pool of knowledge by identifying skill issues in NZ’s prefabricated residential construction sector, classifying the major restraints limiting prefabrication implementation, and determining measures for increasing industry uptake. It is anticipated that this will help construction organizations and the wider industry develop strategic goals and a roadmap for meeting the skill requirements in NZ. Training policies and programmes can be developed with focus on crucial prefabrication skill requirements at governmental level. Curriculum reviews are recommended for uptake by academic and vocational institutions.

Migrant construction workers, significant in many developed economies, face several challenges, which place them at a higher risk of job dissatisfaction compared to locals. Therefore, this study investigates the determinants of job satisfaction amongst a specific group of migrant construction workers, who hold temporary work visas (TWVs) in New Zealand (NZ). An explanatory research approach was used to investigate the determinants of job satisfaction identified through the literature review. Data were collected through a structured survey administered to 200 Chinese migrants on TWVs (short stays) working on selected major projects in the Auckland region. Data analysis involved T-test and structural equation modelling (SEM) of 102 valid questionnaire responses. The study highlights the importance of providing opportunities for knowledge advancement and career progression for migrant construction workers to improve their job satisfaction. The results found that Chinese migrant construction workers are generally satisfied with their jobs and would extend their stay if job opportunities are provided. The results confirm that remuneration and opportunities for knowledge advancement and career progression lead to increased job satisfaction, while loneliness decreases job satisfaction. The opportunities for knowledge advancement and career progression triggered more satisfaction than remuneration. The research result provides a useful knowledge base for understanding the determinants of job satisfaction amongst Chinese migrant construction workers with TWVs. These findings have implications for employment management practices within the construction industry and could enhance immigration information policies and other recruitment agencies' approaches to sourcing overseas workers for the NZ construction industry.

Lean is a strategy that aims to achieve smooth production flow by eliminating waste and hence helps manufacturing firms realize their time, cost, and quality goals. Food manufacturers not only have limited ability to offer uniform quality but also a greater chance of generating wastes due to the perishable nature of materials. This study investigates the degree to which the Sri Lankan food sector is practicing lean manufacturing and examines the direct and indirect relationships between lean manufacturing, business performance, and operational performance. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to managers who have lean experience in the food industry. Using a sample of 86, the hypotheses were tested applying Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling with SmartPLS software. Developing a new construct to represent four lean manufacturing practices, namely, Just-in-time (JIT), Total Quality Management (TQM), Total Preventive Maintenance (TPM), and Human Resource Management (HRM), this study empirically confirms that lean manufacturing has a significant positive impact on both operational and business performance. Furthermore, operational performance partially mediates the relationship between lean manufacturing and business performance. The findings offer valuable implications for mangers, particularly in the food industry to achieve sustainability through practicing lean in their manufacturing and supply chain operations.

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors are constantly evolving, and the effective adoption and use of digital technologies are critical for improving project outcomes, enhancing productivity, and fostering innovation. This study aims to identify and analyse the key factors that enable effective knowledge transfer among digital technology end-users in the AEC industry. The study’s theoretical framework is a modified version of the technology acceptance model (TAM). It investigates six knowledge transfer enablers, including ease of use, perceived usefulness, training and support, self-efficacy, and mastery goal orientation. The study also examines the mediating roles of transfer motivation in the relationship between these enablers and knowledge transfer effectiveness. A quantitative research methodology was employed to conduct the research, using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse data collected from 85 construction practitioners through an online survey. The study reveals that there are significant positive relationships between the knowledge transfer enablers and the effectiveness of knowledge transfer, with transfer motivation playing a crucial mediating role. Self-efficacy is the single most important driver of digital technology (DT) knowledge transfer, while supervisory support has a marginal role. Mastery goal orientation increases an employee’s knowledge transfer motivations; therefore, challenging working environments have a positive influence on DT knowledge transfer. These results contribute to the theoretical understanding of knowledge transfer in the context of digital technology use in AEC organisations. The study provides practical insights for managers and policymakers on creating an environment that facilitates effective knowledge transfer, emphasising the need for supportive organisational cultures, adequate training, and the development of user-friendly and compatible technologies. It further highlights the importance of motivating end-users to participate in knowledge transfer processes and suggests strategies to enhance motivation, leading to the successful adoption and utilisation of digital technologies in the AEC industry.

Diversity and inclusion of the construction workforce are considered fundamental to disrupting the perception of the male-dominated construction industry. Despite efforts to increase diversity and inclusion, the construction industry continues to record a slow increase in women’s representation, resulting in the industry missing significant potential talent. Therefore, identifying women's work environment challenges is vital for promoting construction careers. This study examines three categories of challenges: benevolent sexism, hostile sexism, and job conditions and the influences of demographic factors. The study adopted a quantitative research method, with 65 structured questionnaires completed by women working in the industry. The study found that benevolent sexism challenges, such as stereotyping and pressure to prove oneself and hostile sexism challenges, like masculine culture, sexual harassment, and lack of respect, are significant for women in construction. A lack of female role models and work overload are two job condition-related challenges that affect women in the industry. The findings from this study are an important contribution to the existing literature, as they highlight the need to consider demographic factors when creating initiatives to address the challenges faced by women in the construction industry.