Good practices in COVID-19 risk reduction adopted by Australian construction enterprises
Built Environment Project and Asset Management
ISSN: 2044-124X
Article publication date: 20 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigated the impacts of COVID-19 on construction enterprises and good practices adopted by the enterprises in reducing COVID-19 risks. The Sendai Framework (TSF) is widely accepted as a strategic roadmap to reduce disaster risks throughout the life cycle of a disaster. As such, with the aim of enhancing the resilience of Australian construction enterprises, the identified good practices were mapped with TSF priorities to consolidate COVID-19 risk reduction practices that can be adopted by Australian construction enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
Case study research approach was used, and three case studies were conducted with small, medium and large construction enterprises. Small, medium and large enterprises were selected based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics classification of the business size. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with three executive members from the three enterprises. Data were analysed using content analysis.
Findings
The study found that construction enterprises faced demand and supply side impacts. Infrastructure projects, funded by public sector clients and larger enterprises were least affected. Investments and demand for residential and other building projects were reduced by private sector clients, affecting small and medium enterprises. Findings also show that the construction enterprises adopted good practices in identifying, managing, investing on resilience and recovery that align with TSF priorities. All three enterprises agreed on some common good practices on risk identification, risk management and effective recovery. Different views were shared on investments related to disaster resilience.
Practical implications
This study contributes to mitigate the COVID-19 impacts on construction enterprises and subsequent economic and social impacts.
Originality/value
This research found how Australian construction enterprises survived during COVID-19. The study adopted TSF to construction and COVID-19 context while consolidating COVID-19 risk reduction practices.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the funding support provided by the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Australia. Additionally, the authors are thankful for the time and expertise given by research data providers.
Citation
Seneviratne, K., Perera, S., Ginigaddara, B., Jin, X., Tang, L. and Osei Kyei, R. (2023), "Good practices in COVID-19 risk reduction adopted by Australian construction enterprises", Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-10-2022-0154
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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