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

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.