33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) - Osaka and Kyoto, Japan - 2025

https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0279

The Meaning of Work in Construction: an Individual Well-being Perspective

Sol Skinnarland1, Thais da C. L. Alves2 & Dominic Desmarais3

1Associate Professor, Department of Welfare, Management and Organization, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway. [email protected], orcid.org/00090001-9782-2224
2Professor, AGC-Paul S. Roel Chair in Construction Eng. & Mgmt., Civil, Construction, and Env. Engineering Dept. San Diego State University. San Diego, USA. [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-7928-9190
3Graduate Student, Civil Engineering and Management, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0009-0002-0506-5041

Abstract

Scholars for decades have shown an interest in the meaning that work holds for individuals. In terms of meaning of work in the context of the construction industry, research points to challenges faced by workers and managers that may compromise health and well-being. A major concern faced by this industry globally is a shortage of labor. Research shows that this apparent impact of such labor shortages has implications on society, industry, projects, and individuals. In this paper we shed light on the opportunities and challenges inherent in construction work and discuss how the Last Planner System® (LPS) can act as a catalyst to creating a meaningful and prosperous work life for construction project participants. We also argue that improving the well-being of construction workers depends on several factors, one being the understanding and deployment approach to LPS. Our perspective in the discussion on the connection between experiencing a meaningful work life and the use of LPS in construction projects is that of the individual worker. As a result of our discussion, we offer suggestions for questions to be explored in future research.

Keywords

Belonging, Last Planner System®, motivation, respect for people, well-being

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Skinnarland, S., Alves, T. C. L. & Desmarais, D.. (2025). The Meaning of Work in Construction: an Individual Well-being Perspective. In Seppänen, O., Koskela, L., & Murata , K. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) (pp. 1274–1285). https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0279

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Skinnarland, S., Alves, T. C. L. & Desmarais, D.. (2025). The Meaning of Work in Construction: an Individual Well-being Perspective. IGLC33. https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0279

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

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