Measurement of productivity and cost of the direct labour organisation within highways maintenance departments
[Thesis]
El Bakry, S. M.
University of Aston in Birmingham
1981
Ph.D.
University of Aston in Birmingham
1981
The objective of this thesis is to investigate, through an empiricalstudy, the different functions of the highways maintenance departmentsand to suggest methods by means of which road maintenance work couldbe carried out in a more efficient way by utilising its resources ofmen, material and plant to the utmost advantage. This is particularlyimportant under the present circumstances of national financialdifficulties which have resulted in continuous cuts in publicexpendi ture.In order to achieve this objective, the researcher carried out asurvey among several Highways Authorities by means of questionnaireand interview. The information so collected was analysed in order tounderstand the actual, practical situation within highways manintenancedepartments, and highlight any existing problems, and try to answer thequestion of how they could become more efficient.According to the results obtained by the questionnaire and theinterview, and the analysis of these results, the researcher concludesthat it is the management system where least has been done, and whereproblems exist and are most complex. The management of highwaysmaintenance departments argue that the reasons for their problemsinclude both financial and organisational difficulties, apart fromthe political aspect and nature of the activities undertaken. Theresearcher believes that this ought to necessitate improving themanagement's analytical tools and techniques in order to achieve themost effective way of performing each activity.To this end the researcher recommends several related procedures tobe adopted by the management of the highways maintenance departments.These recommendations, arising from the study, involve the technical,practical and human aspects. These are essential factors of whichmanagement should be aware - and certainly should not neglect - inorder to achieve its objectives of improved productivity in thehighways maintenance departments.