Critical success factors for social value in construction procurement in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The delivery of social value is now an established requirement embedded in many public-sector construction projects. Understanding factors for success will aid both contractors and commissioners in implementing social-value requirements. The literature on social value in construction suggests factors that may positively or negatively affect the successful delivery of social value. This study takes a sequential mixed-methods approach to identify critical success factors using face-to-face semi-structured interviews with contractors and public-sector commissioners in Northern Ireland, UK, followed by a questionnaire survey of key factors identified from the interviews. Findings reveal five critical factors identified using factor analysis: organisational leadership, process and preparation, social and local awareness, effective support networks and industry-focused strategy. Contractors and commissioners can differ significantly in their perception of the importance of certain factors. A maturity matrix is developed for commissioners and contractors to benchmark their level of maturity in terms of delivery of social value. Contractors and commissioners can use the identified factors to develop optimal conditions for successful social-value delivery in construction projects in Northern Ireland.