Strategies for the effective engagement of multi-national construction enterprises in post-disaster building and infrastructure projects

Haigh, RP; Sutton, R

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify what strategies and mechanisms might be utilised to achieve an effective level of participation by multi-national construction enterprises in post-disaster recovery efforts.
Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory qualitative research methodology has been utilised. A total of 28 interviews were conducted. The respondents were from multi-national construction enterprises, international and national humanitarian agencies, construction industry professional organisations, and national government agencies related to disaster management.
Findings – The findings suggest that there is great potential for using the resources of multi-national construction enterprise resources to fill the professional resource gap in post-disaster recovery. The best method for achieving this engagement is less clear. Although there are concerns about construction enterprises engaging with a more strategic outlook, there is also recognition that explicit and transparent arrangements would alleviate many of these concerns.
Originality/value – The value of building partnerships with the private sector is slowly being realised, but it remains a niche phenomenon and more research is required. This study provides a better understanding of the nature and extent of the relationship between multi-national construction enterprises and efforts to reconstruct buildings and infrastructure following a disaster.

Citation

Haigh, R., & Sutton, R. Strategies for the effective engagement of multi-national construction enterprises in post-disaster building and infrastructure projects. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 3(3), 270-282. https://doi.org/10.1108/17595901211263657

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Deposit Date: Mar 11, 2013
• Journal: International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment
• Print ISSN: 1759-5908
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 270-282
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/17595901211263657
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17595901211263657
• Related Public URLs: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=IJDRBE