Content area
Abstract
Purpose of the Study. The major purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences existed in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents in a selected construction company.
Procedure. The sample was comprised of 217 foremen and sixty-six superintendents. All participants were employed by Fish Engineering and Construction, Incorporated, Houston, Texas. A validated questionnaire was used as the method for gathering data. Chi-square was applied to test all hypotheses, and the .05 level of significance was used as the point of rejection.
Findings. Eight research hypotheses were investigated in this study. For each hypothesis an analysis was made to determine whether there were significant differences in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents in a selected construction company in Texas. The findings were as follows: (1) There was a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding planning and assigning work. (2) There was a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding selecting and training employees. (3) There was no significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding job-related communications. (4) There was a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding employee discipline. (5) There was a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding employee productivity. (6) There was a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding job-related costs. (7) There was no significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding quality of work. (8) There was no significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents of a selected construction company regarding job safety.
Conclusions. Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) There is a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding planning and assigning work. (2) There is a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding selecting and training employees. (3) There is no significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding job-related communications. (4) There is a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding employee discipline. (5) There is a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding employee productivity. (6) There is a significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding job-related costs. (7) There is no significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding quality of work. (8) There is no significant difference in the responsibilities of foremen as perceived by foremen and superintendents regarding job safety.
