Abstract
The construction industry is one of the key sectors that facilitate sustainable economic and social development in the region. Currently, community development mechanisms are adopted by many developed and developing nations, aimed at enhancing economic growth and quality of life along with social welfare of the local community. This study reviews the rural residents’ perception of public construction project delays and aims to explore economic and social challenges confronted by residents, especially in rural areas in Pakistan. A questionnaire with 26 factors identified from the literature was sent to rural educated residents. Through a questionnaire survey, the opinions of rural residents were sought and tested. Based on 366 (73%) valid responses, this study examined the socio-economic influencing factors. The findings of the study revealed that problems faced while traveling, increase the price of consumer goods, high transportation costs, lack of educational opportunities, more expenditures on education, and barriers to primary healthcare access were the top most important factors. Research results confirmed that the delays in construction projects negatively affect the socio-economic conditions of the rural community, which directly influence the rural dwells’ sustainable life. The research findings suggest that the practitioners in public sector organization make sure to execute the project on time and within the quality. Otherwise, it has negative socio-economic implications for the rural community.
Highlights
It is generally agreed that public sector construction projects are seen as an economic and social engine for sustainable rural community development that promotes the well-being of rural residents
Sustainable rural development can be significantly influenced by the delays in construction projects
The influence of project delays from the owner and contractor perspective is well represented in the literature, but the community suffering from such project delays was ignored
Summary
It is generally agreed that public sector construction projects are seen as an economic and social engine for sustainable rural community development that promotes the well-being of rural residents. Government purpose to spend money on public infrastructure projects to enhancing productivity growth, local business growth, agriculture growth, easy access to the marketplaces, better health centers, quality education, and poverty alleviation, which are attractive win–win strategies [2]. In these societies, inferior infrastructure conditions substantially influence the quality of education, better health facilities, electric power distribution, water supply, telecommunications services and appropriate sanitation facilities [3]. The delay in completion of public infrastructure projects negatively impacts on both economic and social aspects such as enhancing workforce skills, poverty eradication, extension services to education, agricultural growth [7,8,9], sustainable development [10] and maintaining sustainable communities [11], especially in developing countries. This study aims to examine the rural residents’ perception of public sector construction project delays and to identify the difficulties, hurdles, and challenges confronted by the rural community
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