Content area
Abstract
The problem. The study focused on minorities in the construction industry and their perception of laws and law enforcement agencies in relation to the equitable sharing of contracts and contractual services in the Puget Sound Region of Washington State. The study further focused on the Northwest Minority Contractors and Business Association and the perceived value of the Association by the minority contractors and the Association itself. Finally, the study focused on the majority construction contractor and his/her perception of the minority contractor and the Northwest Minority Contractors and Business Association.
Method. Two hundred fifty minority construction contractors and 250 majority construction contractors were asked to participate in the study. A total of 136 questionnaires from each group was selected as complete for analysis. Of the 272 respondents, five types of firms, including plumbing, painting, electrical, masonry, and mechanical, had the largest representation, the greatest number of employees (full-time and part-time) and the greatest number of contracts awarded over the period 1975 to 1985. Answers to four research questions were sought by the study.
Results. The findings of the study in relation to the research questions posed were as follows: (1) minority construction contractors have not received an equitable share and profit of the construction business in the Puget Sound Region of Washington State; (2) majority construction contractors perceive minority construction contractors as lacking the ability to perform at an acceptable level and receiving too many privileges; (3) minority construction contractors must take advantage of the opportunities available through education, training and other forms of assistance to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities to produce a timely and quality product; and Northwest Minority Contractors and Business Association has not been very effective. The organization should review its position with regard to the training and assistance offered to its membership, and should increase its exposure to non-members.