Modelling the critical challenges of quality assurance of cross-border construction logistics and supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 26 March 2024
Issue publication date: 9 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the construction industry, yet still, it is unclear from existing studies about the critical challenges imposed on quality assurance (QA), particularly Cross-border Construction Logistics and Supply Chain (Cb-CLSC). Thus, this study aims to identify and examine the critical challenges of QA of Cb-CLSC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The aim is achieved via an embedded mixed-method approach pragmatically involving a desk literature review and engaging 150 experts across the globe using expert surveys, and results confirmed by semi-structured interviews. The approach is based on Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) as its foundation.
Findings
The study revealed ten critical challenges of QA, with the top four including “the shortage of raw construction material (C7)”, “design changes (C6)”, “collaboration and communication difficulties (C1)” and “changes in work practices (C10)”. However, examining the interrelationships among the critical challenges using ISM confirmed C7 and C10 as the most critical challenges. The study again revealed that the critical challenges are sensitive and capable of affecting themselves due to the nature of their interrelationship based on MICMAC analysis. Hence, being consistent with why all the challenges were considered critical amid the pandemic. Sentiment analysis revealed that the critical challenges have not been entirely negative but also positive by creating three areas of opportunities for improvement: technology adoption, worker management, and work process management. However, four areas of challenges in the QA include cost, raw material, time, and work process, including inspection, testing, auditing, communication, etc.
Practical implications
The finding provides a convenient point of reference to researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and decision-makers on formulating policies to enhance the effectiveness of construction QA during the pandemic through to the post-pandemic era.
Originality/value
The study enriches the extant literature on QA, Cb-CLSC, and the COVID-19 pandemic in the construction industry by identifying the critical challenges and examining the interrelationships among them. This provides a better understanding of how the construction QA has been affected by the pandemic and the opportunities created.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a broader PhD research on Quality Assurance of Cross-border Construction Logistics and Supply Chain During the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was sponsored by the University of Hong Kong (HKU), under the HKU presidential PhD scholarship (HKU-PS). The authors are extremely grateful to the Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, and Referees who provided constructive and invaluable comments and suggestions to significantly improve the quality of this paper.
Citation
Ghansah, F.A., Lu, W. and Ababio, B.K. (2024), "Modelling the critical challenges of quality assurance of cross-border construction logistics and supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 2128-2150. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2024-0016
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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