Perception on constraining factors impacting recruitment and selection practices of building contractors in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract The acknowledged approach of securing workers by contractors is through recruitment process. Nevertheless, the recruitments and selections undertaken by contractors in developing countries are fraught with a number of constraints often leading to poor project delivery arising from unqualified employed labour force. Therefore, in the pursuit to better understand these constraining factors (CFs), this paper identified the key CFs impacting recruitment and selection practice of building contractors in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and propose advocated solutions. Convergence concurrent mixed methods approach comprising questionnaire and semi structured interview was used data collection. Stratified simple random sampling with 42 responses and purposive sampling with 8 responses were used. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (one sample t-tests). Directed content analysis method was employed for the qualitative data. The quantitative results showed that, ‘location of site’, ‘lack of experienced labourers’, ‘lack of policy to govern recruitment and selection process’ and ‘Low skill levels of construction workers as the highly ranked CFs. The qualitative results revealed ‘Location of site’ and ‘Payment differences between one company and another’ as the major CFs’. The advocated solutions were human resources and strategic management in nature and included provision of training, skills recognition and impartment, early preparation of recruitment plan, development of recruitment and selection policy, and motivation. The paper provides some useful insights into the constraints of recruitment and selection practice and proposes appropriate solutions. The implications drawn from the study are that, building contractors are put in a better position to comprehend the CFs and their associated practical solutions. This would improve performance outcomes in the construction sector and the economy as a whole. The findings would provide a basis for policy direction by the governments with respect to skilled labor recruitment in the construction industry.