Post-COVID-19 recovery : an integrated framework of construction project performance evaluation in China

Abstract

With the lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown, the construction industry is gradually moving towards a new normality. This study aims to evaluate the construction project performance in the post-COVID-19 pandemic context and proposes a roadmap framework to achieve project recovery in China. This paper follows a sequential mixed methodology with three core steps. First, the critical success factors (CSFs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) are derived from literature reviews and expert interviews. Second, the study conducts a questionnaire survey with 150 experts. Third, the research implements factor analysis and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis for CSFs and characteristics and comparative analysis for KPIs. Based on the results, the study employs structural equational modelling (SEM) to connect the CSFs and KPIs and develop a roadmap towards the post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery of the construction projects. The study identifies 32 CSFs and 25 KPIs and categorises them into five clusters, respectively. The SEM analysis suggests that management and technological innovation significantly contribute to achieving enterprise strategic goals and advancing industrial development. The consistency of project goals and external expectations also positively affect the satisfaction level of stakeholders and social impact. In addition, the AHP clarifies that the stability of the external environment, the internal support, and the adequacy of resources are critical drivers to the post-COVID-19 recovery of construction projects. This research proffers a roadmap towards the project recovery of the construction industry in the post-COVID-19 era by connecting the performance indicators and their critical success drivers. The findings would guide comprehensive design and construction, project life cycle management, and assist in dealing with public health emergencies in construction project management to maximise the organisation's profits and positive social impact.