Moderating effect of project size on the relationship between COVID-19 safety protocols and economic performance of construction projects

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 health crisis has brought about a set of extra health and safety regulations, and procedures to the construction industry which could influence projects' economic performance (EP). The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of adopting COVID-19 safety protocols on construction sites on the economic performance (EP) of construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing the survey method using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from small- and large-sized construction projects in Nigeria and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.

Findings

The findings reveal that job re-organization and sanitization have negative significant effects on EP, while social distancing and specific training have no effect on EP. Furthermore, project size moderates the relationship between job re-organization, sanitization, specific training and EP with the stronger effect on the relationships observed in big projects, except for the relationship between sanitization and EP where the moderating relationship is stronger in small projects. However, there is no significant moderating effect of project size on the relationship between social distancing and EP.

Practical implications

As construction project sites continue to operate amidst strict safety protocols, this study offers theoretical and practical insights on how construction projects can adhere to the safety protocols while performing economically.

Originality/value

The originality of this study's findings stems from the fact that it is among the first to provide greater insight on how construction projects have fared economically considering the impact of the various COVID-19 protocols.

Citation

Onubi, H.O., Hassan, A.S., Yusof, N. and Bahdad, A.A.S. (2023), "Moderating effect of project size on the relationship between COVID-19 safety protocols and economic performance of construction projects", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 2206-2230. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-11-2021-1035