Resilient Construction Contractor Capacity for a Competitive Advantage: Consultant and Client Perspective

Abstract

The construction industry’s resilience, or ability to resist and recover from disturbances, has become critical to sustaining a competitive advantage. In a climate marked by rising complexity and volatility, construction contractors must develop resilience to effectively address unanticipated challenges and capitalize on new opportunities. This study investigated the viewpoints of consultants and clients on the evaluation and improvement of contractor resilience. The study used a qualitative research design, using semi-structured interviews with twelve purposefully chosen construction industry professionals selected from consultants and client organisations. Interviewees were chosen based on their responsibilities and expertise with construction project planning, design, finance, and management. The findings identify ten (10) themes as some of the most important aspects of contractor resilience in developing economies: access to finance and financial discipline, technical skills, project management competencies, resource management, bid preparation and tendering, technology adoption and advancement, government policy, risk management, stakeholder management, and project delivery. The study offers policy recommendations for governments in developing economies. As the study is the initial step in research into contractor capacity development in underdeveloped countries, it recognizes the sample size and singular research approach as limiting factors in generalizing the results.