Partial Factor Productivity and Equipment Technology Change at Activity Level in U.S. Construction Industry

Abstract

Despite a decrease in industry level measures in construction productivity, there has been a steady increase in construction productivity at the activity level. This research examines equipment technology as one factor that may explain that increase. The relationship between changes in equipment technology and partial factor productivity is examined for 200 activities over a 22 year time period. Specifically, the paper examines the relative impact of different types of equipment technology for five technology factors: energy, control, functional range, information processing, and ergonomics. Through ANOVA and regression analyses, it is found that activities that experienced a significant change in equipment technology also witnessed substantially greater long-term improvements in partial factor productivity than those that did not experience a change.