CHAPTER 2
Review of Related Literature/System
Related Literature
The carpentry profession, while a vital component of the construction industry, faces several challenges that hinder its growth and development. One of the primary concerns is the limited accessibility of job opportunities in local markets. As highlighted by IBISWorld (2024), various economic factors such as interest rates and market demands significantly influence the availability of carpentry jobs. This limitation has prompted calls for greater collaboration among stakeholders in Thailand to enhance market access and create more opportunities within the carpentry sector (Nation Thailand, 2019).
Furthermore, carpenters often struggle to find sustainable employment due to the lack of standardized project planning methodologies within the profession (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, 2022). This inconsistency in project implementation can lead to inefficiencies and delays. Studies conducted by Gonzalez and Smith (2020) and Cheng and Wu (2022) have emphasized the need for standardized planning processes to address the growing demand for carpentry services in the residential construction sector and ensure sustainable practices.
Another critical issue is the absence of standardized procedures for monitoring work quality in carpentry projects (Clemente, 2020). This lack of oversight can result in inconsistencies and defects in construction, leading to potential failures and accidents. Research conducted by LFCS (n.d.), Pratama et al. (2021), and Carolino (2024) has underscored the importance of standardized quality monitoring practices to improve overall productivity and ensure the quality of carpentry work.
By addressing these challenges through the implementation of standardized practices and increased collaboration, the carpentry profession can enhance its sustainability, improve job opportunities, and contribute more effectively to the construction industry.
Limited accessibility of carpentry job opportunities in local markets.
From a continental perspective, economic factors and fluctuating housing markets are significant barriers in countries like the United States. Despite projections indicating that the U.S. carpentry industry will generate $44.2 billion by 2024, declining housing starts and varying licensing requirements across states have created obstacles for new carpenters entering the market (IBISWorld, 2024). In Africa, the limited availability of vocational training and lack of infrastructure further exacerbate this issue. Vhumbunu and Rudigi (2022) found that barriers such as inadequate training, limited access to tools, and low awareness of job opportunities contribute to restricted job accessibility in African countries. Collaborative efforts between governments and businesses are recommended to create apprenticeship programs and improve resource availability.
In Europe, the construction sector employs around 7.6 million workers, with a projected need for 4.2 million more job openings by 2035. However, the lack of digital skills and inadequate training programs hinder job accessibility for carpenters. The rise of new technologies and initiatives such as the European Green Deal are also shifting skill requirements in the sector, necessitating upskilling for existing workers (Cedefop, 2023). The need for better training programs and skill alignment is a common theme across the continent, where access to carpentry jobs remains fragmented despite overall demand for construction labor.
In the ASEAN region, similar challenges arise. In Thailand, for example, regional trade barriers and limited market access restrict opportunities for local carpenters, even though the wood and furniture industry shows potential. Nation Thailand (2019) suggests that digital transformation and strategic partnerships can help carpenters enhance their market reach. In Indonesia, carpentry jobs are scarce, particularly for migrant workers. Budianto (2023) notes that economic constraints and a mismatch between skills taught and market demands limit job opportunities, while Ahmad and Rahman (2023) recommend strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and businesses to ensure proper skills alignment.
The Philippines faces a significant skills gap in its labor market, particularly in construction-related fields such as carpentry. Many workers remain underemployed or unemployed due to insufficient vocational training programs and a lack of support from government initiatives (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, 2022). Furthermore, Bayudan-Dacuycuy and Dacuycuy (2021) emphasize that a large portion of the Filipino workforce is employed in low-skilled jobs, leading to a shortage of skilled workers in the carpentry sector. Addressing this gap requires enhancing vocational education and improving collaboration between government and industry stakeholders.
In conclusion, while each region presents distinct challenges, the underlying issues of limited access to training programs, skills mismatches, and market barriers are common across all areas. Addressing these issues through collaboration between governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders is essential. These findings highlight the relevance of the proposed capstone project, which aims to address these gaps by developing an app that connects carpenters with training programs and job opportunities, thus improving job accessibility in local markets.
Lack of standardized project planning processes of carpenters
From a global perspective, the lack of standardized planning has been widely observed in carpentry. Gonzalez and Smith (2020) found that informal planning approaches lead to project delays and cost overruns, highlighting the need for a uniform project planning framework. The study also identified best practices from successful carpenters and recommended the implementation of a standardized process to enhance efficiency and productivity. Another study published in The Open Construction and Building Technology Journal emphasized that the adoption of standardized procedures could significantly improve communication and project outcomes in the carpentry sector (Gonzalez & Smith, 2020).
In the ASEAN region, research points to similar issues with project planning across various sectors, including carpentry. Sukandar and Hidayat (2020) investigated the lack of standardized processes in high-risk industries like coal mining, and their findings can be applied to carpentry, particularly regarding safety and efficiency improvements through structured planning. Similarly, Abdul Rahman and Alhassan (2023) focused on the construction industry in ASEAN, highlighting the critical need for standardized project planning to mitigate delays and poor communication. These studies underscore the importance of structured planning for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks in the carpentry industry.
Sustainability and project efficiency are also key concerns in the ASEAN context. Cheng and Wu (2022) analyzed the residential construction sector in Singapore and found that adopting standardized project planning could improve both sustainability and energy efficiency. Their research demonstrated that standardizing processes not only enhances project outcomes but also reduces the environmental impact of construction projects, including carpentry. This link between standardized planning and sustainability is particularly relevant for the growing focus on green construction practices in the region.
In the Philippines, the lack of standardized project planning processes is a significant issue within the carpentry industry. Clemente (2020) revealed that many Filipino carpenters rely on informal methods, leading to inconsistent project outcomes, delays, and cost overruns. The study concluded that adopting a standardized framework could improve project delivery times, reduce expenses, and enhance overall quality control. These findings highlight the urgent need for structured project planning in the local carpentry sector to address inefficiencies and boost productivity.
Moreover, technology plays a critical role in addressing the challenges of project planning in the Philippines. Labadan (2022) pointed out that the limited adoption of tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) hinders productivity in the construction sector, including carpentry. The study identified common issues such as time delays and design changes, which could be mitigated by integrating BIM technology within a standardized project management framework. TESDA (2022) has also emphasized the need for carpenters to undergo formal training in project planning, reinforcing the importance of standardized procedures to improve consistency and efficiency across the carpentry industry.
Lack of standardized procedures for monitoring work quality.
In continental regions, several studies have highlighted the importance of comprehensive QA processes in carpentry. For example, a study by LFCS (n.d.) pointed out that companies employing detailed QA procedures, such as regular inspections, feedback mechanisms, and continuous improvement cycles, maintain high-quality standards in their construction projects. The integration of Construction 4.0 technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics, further enhances quality control by providing real-time data on work processes. However, the adoption of these technologies requires substantial workforce training and adaptation to ensure optimal outcomes (LFCS, n.d.). Similarly, a study in India identified financial issues as critical delays in construction projects, suggesting that best practices in project management could significantly improve efficiency and reduce errors (Prasad, Vasugi, Venkatesan, & Bhat, 2018).
In the ASEAN region, the lack of formalized procedures for monitoring work quality has led to variations in carpentry outcomes. Mon (2020) observed that many carpenters rely on informal methods for quality control, resulting in inconsistent product quality and customer dissatisfaction. The study proposed a framework for quality assessment and monitoring, recommending that industry stakeholders collaborate to adopt standardized practices. Additionally, a study by China Construction South Pacific Dev Co Pte Ltd (2021) found that implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) significantly improved project efficiency and client satisfaction in construction. The research emphasized that many organizations without standardized QA procedures experience reduced efficiency and subpar outcomes, making the adoption of QMS frameworks essential.
In the Philippines, the issue of unstandardized work quality monitoring is a key challenge affecting both productivity and craftsmanship in carpentry. Carolino (2024) found that many carpentry businesses in the Philippines do not have formalized QA procedures, leading to inconsistent work quality. This lack of structure negatively impacts customer satisfaction and overall productivity. The study concluded that implementing standardized procedures, coupled with training and awareness programs, is critical for enhancing the competitiveness and reliability of the local carpentry industry.
Furthermore, Dela Cruz and Santos (2021) noted that adopting a quality culture is crucial for improving work quality in the Philippine carpentry sector. Their research suggested that merely complying with ISO standards is insufficient and that organizations need to go beyond compliance to build a mature quality culture. Improving leadership, communication, and workforce participation in quality management can significantly reduce construction failures and enhance project outcomes. These findings echo similar challenges in other regions, indicating that the Philippines must prioritize the development of structured monitoring systems to maintain consistent work standards.
In comparison, the problem of lacking standardized procedures for monitoring work quality is widespread across different regions. In Continental regions, advanced technological solutions like Construction 4.0 offer potential solutions, but their effectiveness depends on workforce adaptability. In the ASEAN region, informal methods continue to dominate quality monitoring, while the Philippines struggles with the absence of formal procedures altogether. Across all regions, implementing structured QA systems is necessary for achieving consistent and high-quality results in carpentry.
Ultimately, the implementation of standardized quality assurance procedures is vital for improving both the efficiency and quality of carpentry work. While the degree of formality and technological integration may vary across regions, the need for consistent monitoring systems and workforce training is universal. Addressing these gaps can significantly enhance productivity, reduce errors, and ensure better outcomes in carpentry and construction projects worldwide.
Related Systems
This section examines specific technological solutions, including web and mobile applications, that address the identified problems in this study. Each application is discussed in terms of its name, developer(s), location, publication date, and similarities and differences compared to the proposed capstone project focused on enhancing accessibility and standardization in carpentry job opportunities.
Limited accessibility of carpentry job opportunities in local markets.
Houzz: Developed by Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen, launched in Palo Alto, California, in 2009. It enables carpenters to create professional profiles and features job listings and alerts tailored for carpenters. The app facilitates connections between carpenters and potential clients through networking capabilities and client-carpenter matching services. Additionally, user feedback and reviews foster community trust, while the platform promotes skill development through workshops, ensuring mobile accessibility.
Angie's List: Developed by Angie Hicks and William Seelye Oesterle, originating in Columbus, Ohio, in 1995. This application features enhanced profiles for carpenters and job listings that connect them with potential clients. It emphasizes client reviews and ratings to build market credibility and offers skill development resources, promoting continuous learning. Users can showcase completed projects for greater visibility and engage through referral programs.
Thumbtack: Founded by Marco Zappacosta, Jonathan Swanson, Jeremy Tunnell, and Sander Daniels, launched in San Francisco, California, in 2008. This platform allows carpenters to create optimized profiles and provides targeted job alerts based on user profiles. Thumbtack enhances communication between clients and carpenters for clearer project discussions and features a review system to assess carpenter quality, alongside skill development resources.
Lack of standardized project planning processes for carpenters.
Houzz: The app provides project collaboration features that facilitate team communication, including task checklists and feedback mechanisms, helping users streamline project planning. While it shares the goal of promoting collaboration, the proposed capstone project aims to introduce more standardized processes tailored specifically for carpenters.
Angie's List: This app focuses on project checklists and management tools that help users organize home improvement projects efficiently. Although it offers valuable resources, the proposed capstone project seeks to enhance these features by incorporating standardized planning processes that cater specifically to carpenters' unique needs.
Thumbtack: The platform includes task management features and a feedback system to assist users in managing service professionals. Although Thumbtack provides effective management tools, the proposed capstone project will differentiate itself by focusing on developing a standardized approach to project planning for carpenters, ensuring consistency and efficiency across their work.
Lack of standardized procedures for monitoring work quality.
Houzz: This application incorporates checklists and client feedback mechanisms, aligning with the proposed capstone project’s focus on enhancing work quality monitoring. However, the capstone aims to standardize these processes further to ensure consistent quality across various carpentry jobs, addressing the variability in current practices.
Angie's List: The app features project management tools and a client feedback mechanism, providing a robust system for project management. The proposed capstone project aims to enhance client engagement and feedback processes by implementing standardized procedures for evaluating work quality and facilitating improved communication and trust between carpenters and clients.
Thumbtack: This platform provides checklists and client feedback options similar to Houzz. The proposed capstone project will address existing gaps by integrating a more standardized approach to monitoring work quality, ensuring evaluations are consistent and reliable to enhance user experience and client satisfaction in the carpentry industry.
Despite the availability of various applications like Houzz, Angie's List, and Thumbtack, significant gaps remain in addressing the limited accessibility of carpentry job opportunities, the lack of standardized project planning processes, and inadequate procedures for monitoring work quality. The proposed capstone project aims to resolve these issues by creating a comprehensive platform specifically tailored to carpenters' needs. This platform will enhance accessibility to job opportunities through targeted listings and alerts, implement standardized project planning processes to streamline workflow and establish uniform quality monitoring procedures to improve client satisfaction and trust. By focusing on these critical areas, the capstone project aspires to elevate the carpentry profession and foster a more robust market presence for skilled carpenters.
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