Construction Conditions and Practices during War in Afghanistan

Abstract

Reconstruction during the recent conflict in Afghanistan involved extensive construction of public infrastructure alongside an ongoing civil war. This article sheds light on some practical effects on construction projects of political instability, violence, and associated economic and governance conditions in conflict-affected settings in general. It contributes to knowledge on construction in conflict settings by identifying generic relationships that connect prevailing conflict-affected conditions with responding dysfunctional construction project practices. Through interviews with 32 practitioners engaged in construction projects during the recent war in Afghanistan, nine widespread dysfunctional practices were identified: fraudulent testing of materials, corrupt certification, excessive underpricing, fraudulent bidding, partial and complete tender subversion, contract reassignment, inadequate superintendence, and intimidation of superintendents. While these practices that were common in Afghanistan are not exclusive to conflict scenarios, they appear to increase in prevalence amid weakened regulatory systems that characterize conflict-affected situations in general. The expanded prevalence of these practices amidst conflict can crowd-out diligent contracting practices from construction markets. In addition to undermining project outcomes and associated political objectives in the short- and medium-term, potential persistence of such dysfunctional practices has long-term implications for construction industry development and infrastructure investment in places emerging from conflict.