COVID-19: main challenges during construction stage

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reviews the current literature on the major challenges faced by building contractors in the UK due to COVID-19 to create an evaluation framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A PRISMA scoping review systematically maps the information published and establishes the potential challenges, as a precursor to a literature review that synthesises the data available to establish an initial COVID-19 evaluation framework to build a rationale for a future series of studies.

Findings

The research identified these seven challenges: health and safety on-site, economic cost, possible legal exposures, manpower availability, instability of the supply chain and subcontractors, and the uncertainty related to the constant and unpredictable evolution of the pandemic. The magnitude of each challenge was also found to differ depending on the size of the contractor, the rigor of local regulations and the sector where the contractor works.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes to increasing understanding on the subject and provides an initial assessment framework, based on these seven parameters, so that contractors can analyse their weaknesses and plan specific priorities so that their companies can remain competitive, minimising the impact of COVID-19 and possible future waves.

Originality/value

This research is timely and relevant as it produces the first academic review on how COVID-19 has affected contractors and the construction stage. This document gives a holistic view of the new scenario created by COVID-19 and creates a self-assessment system for contractors to test their resistance to COVID-19.

Citation

Sierra, F. (2022), "COVID-19: main challenges during construction stage", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 1817-1834. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-09-2020-0719