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Jarkas, A M (2010) The influence of buildability factors on rebar fixing labour productivity of beams. Construction Management and Economics, 28(05), 527–43.

Lingard, H C, Francis, V and Turner, M (2010) Work–family enrichment in the Australian construction industry: implications for job design. Construction Management and Economics, 28(05), 467–80.

Marrero, M and Ramirez-De-Arellano, A (2010) The building cost system in Andalusia: application to construction and demolition waste management. Construction Management and Economics, 28(05), 495–507.

Ness, K (2010) The discourse of ‘Respect for People’ in UK construction. Construction Management and Economics, 28(05), 481–93.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: discourse; human resource management; respect for people; working conditions; labour relations
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0144-6193
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/01446191003674501
  • Abstract:
    Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is mobilized to investigate some of the assumptions that lie behind the text of the Respect for People reports (2000, 2004), part of the ‘Egan agenda’ in the UK. The concept of respect is examined, contrasting the humanist view of people as ends in themselves with the instrumentalist view in which human beings are treated as means to an end. Conceptualizing people as an asset encourages this instrumental view. Similarly, the ‘business case’ argument for respecting people means that improvements to working conditions are judged purely in accordance with their contribution to efficiency and profitability rather than in terms of moral imperatives (not killing people) or fairness (not discriminating against them). Investigation of the structural, institutional and discursive context of the text reveals it to be a response to conditions at a particular historical moment: labour shortages; the desire to avoid or pre-empt regulation; changes in the wider prevailing discourse; and the need to give the impression that ‘something is being done’. In conclusion it is suggested that, while the Respect for People discourse may be seen as a way of containing and defusing potential critique, it could also be drawn on by those seeking to improve working conditions.

Olawale, Y A and Sun, M (2010) Cost and time control of construction projects: inhibiting factors and mitigating measures in practice. Construction Management and Economics, 28(05), 509–26.

Ross, N, Bowen, P A and Lincoln, D (2010) Sustainable housing for low-income communities: lessons for South Africa in local and other developing world cases. Construction Management and Economics, 28(05), 433–49.

Tuuli, M M, Rowlinson, S and Koh, T Y (2010) Control modes and mechanisms in construction project teams: drivers and consequences. Construction Management and Economics, 28(05), 451–65.