Achieving sustainability through Stakeholder Management in Construction Supply Chain

Menoka Bal, David Bryde Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Centre (BEST), Liverpool John Moores University Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
Introduction Construction industry is one of the most dynamic, risky and challenging business sectors and disruptions happen due to supplier failure, supply interruption, communication and transportation problems. Constructing, maintaining and using buildings has an immense impact on the environment, which is why sustainability in the construction industry is becoming increasingly important. Sustainable supply chain management helps key stakeholders to work together to increase comfort and quality of life, whilst decreasing the negative environmental impacts of construction and increasing the economic sustainability of the construction sector.
Construction Project

Project Aim The main aim of the research is to develop a framework for stakeholder engagement in construction supply chains which will deliver environmental, economic and social sustainability - the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). The framework will integrate stakeholder engagement with processes for risk and value management. Project Objectives To analyse the current level of performance in Construction Supply Chains in relation to meeting sustainability targets. To explore the barriers and enablers to sustainability amongst construction supply chain members. To analyse the role of stakeholder engagement in achieving sustainability related target in Construction Supply Chains with a specific focus on processes for managing value and risk. To develop a framework for stakeholder engagement in sustainable supply chain management. Methodology First phase of this research study (MPhil) will be conducted through literature based on the research topic and interviews to collect data from key informants as a part of qualitative research approach. After phase one, quantitative data will be collected via a survey to test hypotheses in Phase two (PhD). The last stage of this research will be done by combining the phase one and phase two findings to develop a framework for achieving sustainability on construction projects through stakeholder engagement and integration of the stakeholder management process.

Value Management

TBL Sustainability Risk Management

Stakeholder Management

Supply Chain Management

Stakeholder

Figure 1: Influence Diagram for sustainable construction project

Identifying Stakeholders
Stakeholder Management

Taking Actions
Construction Sustainability

Categorizing Stakeholders Stakeholder Management

Value Management

Risk Management

Figure 2: Integrating stakeholder management, value management and risk management to bring construction sustainability

Analysing the stakeholders

Prioritizing the key stakeholders

Figure 3: Managing the stakeholders

Research Methods  Interviews Semi structured interviews will be held with experienced people involved in construction projects including: clients, project managers, contractors, sub-contractors, architects, suppliers and administrative workers. The findings from the semi structured interviews will be analysed by content analysis. The software NVIVO will be used as a tool to facilitate the analysis.  Questionnaire A questionnaire will be designed based on the findings from the literature review, previous interview and company literature. The questionnaire will be structures to obtain data to test the following hypotheses. Contribution to knowledge This study is intended to develop knowledge of approaches for integration, evaluation, investigation and management of stakeholders for achieving sustainability in construction supply chains. This research seeks to add to our understanding of how sustainability is achieved through the articulation of appropriate supply chain management approaches. Specifically, it seeks to answer questions related to how construction supply chains are configured for sustainability and how the stakeholders are integrated through the mechanism of construction supply chain design. This study will further understanding of how to integrate stakeholder management processes, risk management processes and value management processes to optimise sustainability-related performance against the different elements of the TBL.

Figure 4: Relationship between the dependent and independent variables

Figure 5: PM integrated approach and sustainability related performance are positively related in hypothesis 4

2000 questionnaires will be send via post or email to people involved in construction projects. A dataset n=300 (response rate =15%) is planned for. For the research purpose in this study construction (SIC code 45) will be selected. Hypothesis 1, hypothesis 2 and hypothesis 3 will analysed by using MANOVA and hypothesis 4 will be analysed by regression.