Development and demonstration of a social sustainability assessment tool for the construction project life cycle

Abstract

Purpose

This research paper aims to address the scarcity of social sustainability (SS) in construction by developing a Social Sustainability Assessment Tool (SocSAT), further demonstrating the tool's applicability in measuring SS practices across the construction project life cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

Various research methods were used to establish the assessment criteria, including literature review, focused group discussions and structured interviews. Subsequently, the SocSAT was developed using proprietary spreadsheet software, which was further demonstrated its applicability and validity using ten project case studies.

Findings

The SocSAT was built on 19 indicators for pre-construction, 25 indicators for construction, and 4 indicators for post-construction phases. The SocSAT offers a comprehensive means for practitioners to assess and monitor SS practices across project phases. The findings indicate that the SocSAT is a straightforward and user-friendly assessment tool that enables practitioners to self-diagnose and better comprehend the present SS practices across the project life cycle.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the context-specific nature of validating the SocSAT.

Practical implications

SocSAT enables construction practitioners to monitor and improve their SS practices effectively, facilitating informed decision-making and promoting sustainable construction. The tool is a valuable guide for stakeholders to incorporate SS considerations, ensuring transparent communication and project success.

Originality/value

This research fills a gap in SS research within the construction industry. The SocSAT offers theoretical advancements with practical value, providing a standardized approach to objectively measure the SS dimension across construction project life cycles.

Citation

Kordi, N.E., Belayutham, S. and Che Ibrahim, C.K.I. (2024), "Development and demonstration of a social sustainability assessment tool for the construction project life cycle", Construction Innovation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-08-2023-0209