Factors affecting the quality of construction projects in Lebanon before and after the economic construction projects in Lebanon before and after the economic crisis, and their impact on the cost overrun of the project

Abstract

Purpose –This study aims to identify and assess the most important factors affecting the quality of construction projects in Lebanon before and after the economic crisis (in 2019), and to determine their impact on the cost overrun of the project. Design/Methodology/Approach –A quantitative statistical analysis was conducted to achieve the research objectives through a survey of 22 factors (distributed under 6 categories) filled out by 80 engineers working in the construction field. Collected data were used to rank and categorize these factors and to determine their impact on the cost overrun of the projects using the Risk Mapping Matrix. Findings – The top five factors ranked before the economic crisis were the following: “Project manager capabilities and commitment”, “Improper selection, testing and use of the materials as per the specifications, “Unavailability of highly experienced, skilled and qualified personnel”, “Failure to implement a system of quality control and quality assurance”, “Poor scheduling and design”. On the other hand, “Shortage of construction materials in the market”, “Shortage of manpower”, “Politics in the country”, “Low income and wages of labor”, “Unavailability of highly experienced, skilled and qualified personnel” were the critical factors ranked after the economic crisis. Several factors were considered unacceptable and required necessary management due to their high risk level of occurrence and they have the tendency to increase the cost of the project between 10% to 20%, 20% to 40% for some factors and even more than 40% for the top critical factor. Contribution – Project managers, engineers and other countries have the chance of learning from the findings of this study since it exposes a country experience and a new approach to deal with the concept of quality in the construction field specifically during the economic crisis to save the rights of the stakeholders working in the construction field. Originality/value –This paper is the first research examining quality factors in Lebanon by considering the impact of the economic crisis in the country on the construction field. Keywords: Quality Factors, Cost Overrun, Construction Field, Economic Crisis, Risk Mapping Matrix.