College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
12-2023
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Thomas Kommer, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Constuction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Productivity is a popular focus of construction research because of its efforts to overcome a multitude of project related challenges. This research explores the intersection of language barriers, cultural differences, and productivity in the construction industry with a focus on the impact of bilingual management. It evaluates the impact of these factors on productivity and its beneficial relationship to multilingual management on diverse construction crews. The impending retirement of 40% of the construction labor force calls for proactive initiatives to manage the demographic shift shown by the growing composition of Hispanics in the workforce. The influence of language barriers on crew dynamics and productivity are explored and found to have indirect but significant impacts. Interviews with industry professionals reveal that bilingual leadership positively impacts crew morale, communication, and productivity. To address the evolving needs of the industry, an optional, accelerated Spanish language track tailored for undergraduate construction management students is proposed. The specialized track aims to equip students with practical language skills that will benefit individuals in both personal and professional life after college. The proposed program incorporates the foundational framework of the Spanish language and emphasizes the practical application it will serve students in the context of construction.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/823
Poster Board
Reflection_Price .pdf (134 kB)
Reflection
Student Evaluation Form_Price.pdf (111 kB)
Evaluation
SP - Proposal Form - Jordan Price V2[2305843009229822979].pdf (307 kB)
Proposal