College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
3-2026
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Eric Brinkman, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Language barriers are frequently encountered on construction job sites. Construction crews can often be limited in their proficiency when speaking English and in states like California, construction superintendents oversee a lot of Spanish-speaking crews. This study aims to identify if bilingual superintendents lead to better performing projects. Communication impacts major metrics of project performance including schedule, rework costs, safety performance, and coordination across trades. This qualitative study includes superintendents, project managers, and field crew semi structured interviews backed by survey answers. Interview participants discuss specific examples of how communication can affect jobsite performance both negatively and positively. Subjects are asked to describe scenarios in which language barriers caused delays, rework, mistakes or safety concerns as well as when being bilingual has saved time or allowed tasks to be completed more efficiently. Study results are expected to show that when superintendents are bilingual there are less communication based misunderstandings. This reduction in misunderstandings should lead to better communication across all topics. The data should display that bilingual superintendents have better project performance in scheduling, costs, safety, and coordination between trades. This study can provide evidence that being bilingual is not only a communication tool but is an advantageous leadership skill.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/962
Poster Board