Quantity surveyors working from home during COVID-19 pandemic: Does place matter?

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic affected people in many ways. To prevent the spread of the virus, governments-imposed travel restrictions. This became the main reason for many sectors to adopt work from home (WFH) concept. Although WFH grew prominently with the COVID-19 pandemic, it was already practiced in several sectors even before the pandemic. However, there was lack of evidence regarding the quantity surveyor’s practice in WFH. This research therefore attempts to investigate how the quantity surveyors WFH during COVID-19 pandemic and factors that affected the successful functioning of their job. To achieve the aim, a mixed method research approach was undertaken. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was carried out and an interview guideline was developed as the data collection instrument. Subsequently, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Collected qualitative data was analysed through code-based content analysis using NVivo 10 and quantitative data was analysed by using descriptive statistical analysis. Results shows that nature of job role, personal qualities, technology, organization related factors, gender, home-work interface, and economic condition of the country affects the QS’s function during WFH. Further, age, location of home, weather condition, job experience and performance of other employees were identified as factors that have a potential to affect QSs during WFH. This research findings can be used to implement WFH concept effectively to optimise quantity surveyor performance in the construction industry by controlling each factor that affects when QSs WFH.