Toward an understanding of BPR perception in the construction industry: the employee attitude toward job enlargement and enrichment in Saudi Arabia
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 2 March 2021
Issue publication date: 10 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Business process reengineering (BPR) is a management improvement tool that entails radical changes to organizations' core processes, culture and legacy systems. Although BPR initiatives are favored by many mangers, employees on the other hand, perceive BPR as a potential threat to lose their jobs. This research aims to enhance the employee perception toward BPR implementation in the construction industry as BPR asks for job enlargement (number of different tasks) and enrichment (degree of responsibility) and doesn’t target the workforce downsizing by itself.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is conducted in Saudi Arabia by involving experienced construction industry practitioners in a survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to gain an insightful perception toward BPR constituents. BPR asks for job enlargement (number of different tasks) and enrichment (degree of responsibility). The survey questionnaire is verified from the literature related to BPR and pilot study through experienced construction practitioners. The experts validated the findings.
Findings
The findings of this research reveal a general positive acceptance toward BPR constituents in construction industry. Jobs enrichment and enlargement should be approached: by integrating IT with business functions (especially communication); developing flexible management systems; and encouraging and empowering employees to generate value through their jobs with more delegated authority.
Originality/value
The work is one of the few studies to address the concept of Business Process Reengineering in the construction industry. We explore two research questions as detailed in the submission (BPR perception in the construction industry, and how to have a successful BPR by job enlargement and enrichment. The methods can be extended to other industries and in different parts in the world.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to extend their thanks to King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. Also, the feedback of anonymous reviewers which improved the content of this article is highly appreciated.
Citation
Hadidi, L. and Abzakh, A. (2022), "Toward an understanding of BPR perception in the construction industry: the employee attitude toward job enlargement and enrichment in Saudi Arabia", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 204-221. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2020-0514
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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