Analyzing the Nexus Between Project Constraints and Social Sustainability in Construction: A Case for a Developing Economy

Muhammad Shahzaib, Arslan Aziz, Kashan Fayyaz, Muhammad Irfan, Wesam Salah Alaloul () and Muhammad Ali Musarat
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Muhammad Shahzaib: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Arslan Aziz: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Kashan Fayyaz: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Muhammad Irfan: Civil Engineering Department, HITEC University, Taxila 47080, Pakistan
Wesam Salah Alaloul: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak, Malaysia
Muhammad Ali Musarat: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar 32610, Perak, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-21

Abstract: The construction industry plays a crucial role in the development of emerging economies; however, project constraints can pose significant challenges to achieving social sustainability. Therefore, this study investigates the nexus between project constraints and social sustainability factors within Pakistan’s construction industry. The study adopted a quantitative approach and analyzed the collected data through descriptive and inferential tests. Data were collected from 100 civil engineers registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) through structured questionnaires. Analysis methods included the mean, standard deviation, Relative Importance Index (RII), and multiple regression tests. Cost (mean = 3.98) and time (mean = 3.90) emerged as the most significant project constraints, while poor safety on sites had the lowest means (3.49). In social sustainability factors, improving quality of life (mean = 3.73) ranked highest, with diversity in the workforce scoring lower (mean = 3.35). RII revealed cost (RII = 0.796) and time (RII = 0.780) as top constraints, while safety ranked lowest (RII = 0.698). Multiple regression showed that cost (slope = 0.390, p = 0.027) and unskilled workforce productivity (slope = 0.312, p = 0.073) significantly affect client social sustainability. Consultants prioritized poor productivity (slope = 0.623, p = 0.003), and contractors showed positive trends in cost and planning. The study highlights challenges like workforce skill gaps and safety enforcement, stressing the need for interventions to enhance social sustainability outcomes in Pakistan’s construction sector.

Keywords: project constraints; social sustainability; stakeholder perspective; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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