How voluntary sustainable effort influences task performance of construction project members: insights from agent-based simulation
Xinming Pan, Guofeng Ma, Yuanyuan Zhang, Jiawen KePurpose
Voluntary sustainable effort (VSE) of construction project members (CPMs) is essential for sustainable project management and overall project success. While VSE may consume resources for task execution, it can also generate synergistic effects with in-role effort. This study aims to explore the relationship between VSE and task performance (TP) through an agent-based model.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops an agent-based model embedded in a task network to simulate the recursive path from sustainable autonomous motivation (SAM) to VSE and, subsequently, to TP. The proposed model allows the simultaneous examination of how project contextual factors both satisfy individual needs and constrain decision-making.
Findings
The optimal states of VSE and TP are not synchronized, and a nonlinear relationship exists between them. Learning effects from rational decision-making and accumulated experience expand the range where VSE enhances TP. Moderate autonomy, positive feedback and reciprocal commitment in construction projects satisfy CPMs' psychological needs, thereby fostering VSE and ultimately enhancing TP. Project temporariness and task complexity undermine SAM and increase the tension between in-role and extra-role efforts. The study identifies combinations of facilitating and inhibiting conditions that optimize the match between VSE and TP, thereby facilitating the most effective TP conversion. The optimal states of VSE and TP vary with the CPMs' ability.
Originality/value
These findings offer a novel perspective on managing VSE in terms of safeguarding and enhancing TP, contribute to sustainable project management research and task-oriented organizational behavior modeling and provide practical guidance for project managers to improve TP while promoting sustainability.