Encouraging more female quantity surveying graduates to enter the construction industry in Singapore

Authors: Ling, Florence Yean Yng; Poh, Yeu Pei

Source: Women in Management Review, Volume 19, Number 8, 2004 , pp. 431-436(6)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

This research investigates the barriers that are preventing female undergraduates who major in quantity surveying from entering the construction industry on graduation. Possible barriers are identified and are categorized into external factors and internal factors. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected female QS undergraduates. Among the external factors (work-related factors), female undergraduates are discouraged by the nature of working conditions of and sexist attitudes that exist in the construction industry. Among the internal factors (personal attributes), female undergraduates indicated that they were not confident about their own abilities to work with male contractors and sub-contractors. They also felt that they would not be assertive; unable to manage male construction operatives and subordinates; and did not possess adequate technical skills. Recommendations are given on how these barriers may be lowered or eliminated, so as to encourage more women to enter the construction industry on graduation.

Keywords: Construction industry; Employees; Human resource management; Quantity surveying; Singapore; Women

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09649420410570234

Publication date: 2004-12-01