Human Resource Management (HRM) plays a vital role in improving workforce performance and organizational productivity in the construction industry. However, the Sri Lankan building construction industry continues to experience several HRM challenges that affect project performance and employee management. This study aims to identify the critical Human Resource Management challenges faced by the Sri Lankan large-scale building construction industry and propose practical recommendations for overcoming them. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted using both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey administered to professionals working in the highest-grade building construction companies registered under the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA). A total of 152 valid responses were analyzed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the identified HRM challenges and the proposed improvement strategies. The findings revealed that the lack of skilled labour, lack of communication between corporate staff and labour, and inadequate employee training are the most critical HRM challenges affecting the industry. The study further identified that assigning more skilled labour, conducting regular safety meetings and workshops, maintaining effective communication, and providing continuous employee training are the most effective strategies for mitigating these challenges. The findings provide practical guidance for construction companies, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to strengthen Human Resource Management practices, improve workforce productivity, and support the sustainable development of the Sri Lankan building construction industry.

Critical Human Resource Management Challenges in the Large-Scale Building Construction Industry of Sri Lanka An RII-Based Analysis