The impact of non-financial incentives on bricklayers' productivity in Nigeria

High productivity is regarded as a goal that ensures long-term survival of firms. In Nigeria's labour-intensive construction industry, firms are currently applying various non-financial incentive schemes aimed at improving operatives' productivity. A questionnaire survey involving the management and operatives of construction firms was conducted to determine the impact of these scheme on the productivity of bricklayers. The survey was complemented with on-site observation and measurement of bricklayers' output on 40 construction projects in order to determine the impact of non-financial incentive schemes on productivity. Comparative analysis of sites with and without incentives showed that non-financial incentive schemes significantly improved bricklayers' productive time and these schemes accounted for 6% to 26% of the variations in output between the two sets of sites on block laying and concreting activities measured.