Risk management in construction enterprises in Śląskie and Małopolskie voivodships in Poland

Abstract

Purpose: The publication is empirical in its character. The key purpose of the paper is to outline and discuss the results of the empirical research into risk in construction activities carried out by the surveyed contractors in Poland. The paper focuses, in particular, on the use of methods, techniques and tools by construction enterprises from Śląskie and Małopolskie voivodships to respond to the risks they encounter. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical research was conducted in form of a questionnaire interview. The research tools were developed based on in-depth studies of the scholarly literature (theory-cognitive dimension of the research). The paper also uses the methods of synthesis and deduction. In their discussions the authors draw on their own knowledge and experience which they have acquired over many years spent on researching risks faced by a wide range of organisations. Findings: The presented research findings provide the empirical verification of the theoretical background derived from the literature in the field. Research limitations/implications: The paper presents only the selected results of the empirical studies. These research findings concern specific categories of construction risk, which is regarded as a scientific and research category. Practical implications: The paper presents practical knowledge (utilitarian dimension of science) which has been verified empirically in the conducted research. This knowledge is referred to in the scholarly literature as Construction Risk Management (CRM). Originality/value: The empirical studies present an up-to-date status of the knowledge and awareness as demonstrated by the construction contractors participating in the survey. The research findings are presented for the purpose specified in the paper.