Impacts and Response Strategies of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Construction Industry Using Structural Equation Modeling

Mukhtar A. Kassem, Afiqah R. Radzi, Asankha Pradeep, Mohammed Algahtany () and Rahimi A. Rahman ()
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Mukhtar A. Kassem: Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
Afiqah R. Radzi: Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Asankha Pradeep: Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Maduruoya 51108, Sri Lanka
Mohammed Algahtany: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Northern Border University, Arar 91431, Saudi Arabia
Rahimi A. Rahman: Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Kuantan 26300, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-24

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most serious global health crises. It has had a massive impact on the global workforce and workplaces, causing enormous changes in the working environment and raising concerns among organizations. Due to the pandemic, the construction industry has faced more challenges in delivering projects on time and within budget. This study aims to determine the relationship between the impacts and response strategies of COVID-19 in Sri Lankan construction projects. A systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with industry professionals identified twelve COVID-19 impacts and twenty-two response strategies needed to mitigate the impacts. A structured questionnaire survey was then conducted with Sri Lankan construction professionals. The gathered data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). A model and six hypotheses were developed to explain the impact and strategy. The results revealed that it is necessary to focus on the impacts related to the project, develop the necessary strategies from a financial point of view, and supply the necessary materials and equipment. During COVID-19, organizational management and information exchange should be enhanced, along with a project’s workforce and its provision. The study findings could aid industry professionals and policymakers in comprehending the pandemic and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on Sri Lankan construction projects.

Keywords: COVID-19 impacts; response strategies; construction industry; structural equation modeling; exploratory factor analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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