Complex Infrastructure Projects Research Articles

Improving project management “closeout” phase outcomes: evidence from a large general contractor in Iran using “X-inefficiency theory”

PurposeOptimal clean-up procedures lie at the heart of the closeout phase of construction projects under contract law. However, due to its complexity involving multiple issues, potentially unfulfilled contractual obligations, performance claims and counter-claims, combined with consequently deteriorating stakeholder relationships, the management of closeouts is fraught with difficulties leading to suboptimal outcomes. This is particularly true where general contractor (GC) organizations do not have a claims management office (CMO) dedicated to improving such suboptimal clean-up outcomes. Thus, this study aims to develop a model by which CMOs’ may effectively manage the clean-up phase in an environment of closeout claims.Design/methodology/approachX-inefficiency theory was utilized as the theoretical lens guiding this study. The theory helps identify closeout strategies implemented by a GC, which manages completion claims through a CMO. Data were received and analyzed from a large GC, which served as the firm case study. In this case, managing the closeout completion claims was the main function of the CMO.FindingsThe average delay of closeout completion was four times greater than construction phase delays. The GC results highlighted the “economic destruction tsunami of projects,” as a root cause for these completion delays. Wrap-up activities under contract law are identified, including within the domains of statements of completion, project handover and debt settlement. Behavior strategies are also defined, including relational and contractual approaches. Moreover, a process for improving closeout claim performance is described, comprising project closeout identification, rational intra-firm behavior, closeout completion and program closeout practice.Originality/valueFindings from this work can significantly contribute in X-inefficiency theory in relation to how a decrease of X-inefficiency will lead to better closeout claim performance. It also offers practical insights into how best to minimize delayed closeout completion while providing valuable lessons for stakeholders in complex infrastructure projects. Further, a model is developed that may be utilized by owners, consultancies, designers and other contractor organizations in an effort to improve closeout claim performance.

Influential factors for risk assessment and allocation on complex design-build infrastructure projects; the Texas experience

Introduction: The design-build (DB) delivery method is used to deliver increasingly complex transportation infrastructure projects associated with higher uncertainty. As such, allocating risks in the contract between the owner and design-builder becomes challenging and often leads to higher initial bids, increased contingency, or claims. Learnings from implementation worldwide have underlined the need for improving risk allocation in DB contracts. Most existing studies address risk allocation mechanisms to manage contingency at the contract level. Other studies have recognized the need for owners to adapt their processes to better allocate risks in DB contracts. This study explored the influential factors for risk assessment and allocation for complex DB infrastructure projects, addressing the opportunity to improve transportation owners’ risk allocation processes before the design-builder is selected and the DB contract is awarded.Method: The objectives of this work were achieved by utilizing empirical data collected through 20 interviews with Texas Department of Transportation and private sector experts. The interview data were analyzed using inductive and axial coding. Inductive coding allowed themes to emerge without a pre-existing framework, identifying six influential factors and six pertinent risks on complex DB projects.Results: These factors include the (i) Quality of DB teams, (ii) Level of up-front investigation, (iii) Limitations on the timing of letting, (iv) Design optimization opportunities, (v) Project-specific requirements, and (vi) Relationships with third parties. Through axial coding, the interaction and frequency between the factors and risks were also examined. The coded interactions demonstrated how the identified factors influence allocation for six pertinent risks including right-of-way acquisition, stakeholder approval, site conditions, permits and third-party agreements, railroad interaction, and utility adjustments and coordination. Findings indicate that the evaluation of these interactions can shift the risk allocation from baseline norms established by an agency to correspond to project-specific needs.Contribution: In contributing to the infrastructure project management, this is the first study to examine the factors that influence risk allocation in complex DB projects and examine interactions with pertinent risks, setting the foundation for optimizing allocation based on project-specific needs. In practice, the findings presented in this study can guide owners in adapting their allocation practices, managing, and developing their strategic plan for delivering complex DB projects. The findings can also assist contractors in pricing risks more efficiently and increase competitive bidding.

Application of BIM+GIS Integration Technology in the Construction of Urban Intelligent Water Informatization

Urban intelligent water informatization is the process of managing and operating urban water systems with the use of contemporary information and communication technology in order to increase productivity, security, and sustainability. Establishing the appropriate infrastructure is the initial stage in building an intelligent water system so that management can choose wisely how to manage and operate the water system. Building information modeling (BIM) is a digital depiction of a building's or infrastructure's structural and functional details. In most metropolitan regions, a fast development phase is predicted to cause several water issues, including water resource shortages, floods, poor drainage, and water resource contamination. As a result, a practical approach is required for urban intelligent water information technology with the help of artificial intelligence techniques. Intelligent water systems may be built using Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to increase the system's effectiveness, stability, and durability. By offering a potent tool for storing and analyzing geographical data connected to the water distribution system, a geographic information system (GIS) can play a crucial role in the development of urban intelligent water informatization using ArcGIS mapping Software. The Internet of Things (IoT) system is used to implement intelligent water informatization, hardware implementation using ESP32, and software development using MQTT Broker and Node-Red. As a result, we recommended utilizing BIM+GIS integration technology for building urban intelligent water informatization. The suggested system is evaluated using management efficiency, urban flood control, innovative Construction, intensive management, and computation cost. In this research, the main objective is to identify where there are water leaks broken pipes and early warning system and monitoring system for flash flood disasters in urban areas. The result findings show that the integration of BIM and GIS provides a comprehensive platform for managing complex water informatization infrastructure projects and maximizes efficiency and sustainability.

Whether and When to Invest in Transportation Projects: Combining Scenarios and Real Options to Manage the Uncertainty of Costs and Benefits

Transportation infrastructure projects are a cornerstone of economic growth. However, the issue of whether new transportation infrastructure projects deliver the expected benefits has come under considerable scrutiny. The growing economic uncertainty and the tightening of budget constraints have made the design, evaluation, and selection of such high-cost projects particularly critical. There are disagreements as to how project decision-makers can evaluate the long-term costs and benefits of infrastructure projects. The objective of this article is to address such disagreements. We develop and apply an innovative methodological approach that combines real options with scenarios to help policymakers assess the costs and benefits of transportation projects. While these techniques have been widely adopted in corporations, there is little empirical evidence regarding their combined use by project decision-makers dealing with complex infrastructure projects. In this article, we fill this gap in the planning and project studies literature. We show that scenarios and real options can be very helpful in developing a more comprehensive understanding of long-term impacts of major infrastructure projects and thus in selecting the most relevant projects. Overall, our article assists the debate on the management of the uncertainty of long-term costs and benefits of infrastructure projects and helps cope with such uncertainty.

Optimizing collaborative decision-making of multi-agent resources for large-scale projects: from a matching perspective

PurposeIn recent decades, infrastructure has continued to develop as an important basis for social development and people's lives. Resource management of these large-scale projects has been immensely concerned because dozens of construction enterprises (CEs) often work together. In this situation, resource collaboration among enterprises has become a key measure to ensure project implementation. Thus, this study aims to propose a systematic multi-agent resource collaborative decision-making optimization model for large projects from a matching perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe main contribution of this work was an advancement of the current research by: (1) generalizing the resource matching decision-making problem and quantifying the relationship between CEs. (2) Based on the matching domain, the resource input costs and benefits of each enterprise in the associated group were comprehensively analyzed to build the mathematical model, which also incorporated prospect theory to map more realistic decisions. (3) According to the influencing factors of resource decision-making, such as cost, benefit and attitude of decision-makers, determined the optimal resource input in different situations.FindingsNumerical experiments were used to verify the effectiveness of the multi-agent resource matching decision (MARMD) method in this study. The results indicated that this model could provide guidance for optimal decision-making for each participating enterprise in the resource association group under different situations. And the results showed the psychological preference of decision-makers has an important influence on decision performance.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the MARMD method has been proposed in this research, MARMD still has many limitations. A more detailed matching relationship between different resource types in CEs is still not fully analyzed, and relevant studies about more accurate parameters of decision-makers’ psychological preferences should be conducted in this area in the future.Practical implicationsCompared with traditional projects, large-scale engineering construction has the characteristics of huge resource consumption and more participants. While decision-makers can determine the matching relationship between related enterprises, this is ambiguous and the wider range will vary with more participants or complex environment. The MARMD method provided in this paper is an effective methodological tool with clearer decision-making positioning and stronger actual operability, which could provide references for large-scale project resource management.Social implicationsLarge-scale engineering is complex infrastructure projects that ensure national security, increase economic development, improve people's lives and promote social progress. During the implementation of large-scale projects, CEs realize value-added through resource exchange and integration. Studying the optimal collaborative decision of multi-agent resources from a matching perspective can realize the improvement of resource transformation efficiency and promote the development of large-scale engineering projects.Originality/valueThe current research on engineering resources decision-making lacks a matching relationship, which leads to unclear decision objectives, ambiguous decision processes and poor operability decision methods. To solve these issues, a novel approach was proposed to reveal the decision mechanism of multi-agent resource optimization in large-scale projects. This paper could bring inspiration to the research of large-scale project resource management.

Exploring Stakeholder Engagement Process as the Success Factor for Infrastructure Projects

Today, the world is experiencing a major cycle of investment in infrastructure, which is essential for the development and prosperity of countries and societies. Management failures in infrastructure projects are widely known, and some of them involve the weak engagement of project stakeholders. The importance of stakeholder involvement as a key factor in the success of infrastructure projects is widely recognized. However, the literature provides few answers to the question of how this process manifests itself in projects. Some scholars have concluded that it is a complex and under-researched management process. The research questions aim to find out how practitioners perceive stakeholder engagement, who conducts activities and processes related to stakeholder engagement and in what ways, what organizational aspects influence the process, and how success is achieved in infrastructure projects. Initially, eight experienced experts involved in a whole range of (complex) infrastructure projects were interviewed, and later, four additional interviews were conducted for verification purposes. During the interviews, all aspects of stakeholder engagement were discussed in detail and a thematic analysis was conducted. Based on the analysis, success and failure factors related to the stakeholder engagement process were defined. As a result, a framework model for stakeholder engagement and infrastructure project success is presented based on three levels of management and three levels of project success.

The effect of contract- and network management on performance and innovation in infrastructure projects

IMPACT How should complex infrastructure projects be managed? A survey of practitioners in public–private partnership (PPP) projects and 35 interviews with these practitioners provided a detailed picture of the management of these projects. The survey research revealed that strict contract management (monitoring performance criteria and sticking to the contract) did not show a significant relationship to either the performance of, or innovation in, these projects. Network management (for example connecting involved parties and exploring new solutions), however, was significant—especially in terms of performance. In the interviews, practitioners highlighted that the complexity of these projects meant that a collaborative relationship between the public and private parties was essential to overcome unforeseen problems. It is therefore advisable to make process agreements at the start of contracts that provide for unexpected issues. The authors conclude that the contract is certainly important but will not generate good performance without active network management and making process rules about how parties can collaborate. ABSTRACT Based on economic and governance theories, this article uses survey and interview data to examine the relationship between contract management and network management on the one hand and collaboration, innovation and performance on the other. A positive relationship was found between network management and collaboration and performance. Contract management demonstrated no significant relationship with either collaboration or performance. Additionally, while there was a positive association between network management and innovation, it was not statistically significant. Qualitative data emphasized the complexity of projects and limitations of contracts as a possible explanation.

Integration of Circular Economy Approaches into a Major Infrastructure Project Case Study - National Highways’ A303 Circular Economy Pathfinder Project

Whilst the concept of the circular economy is not new, experience of and guidance for, its practical application continues to evolve. There are currently few case studies for the application of circular economy approaches to the design and delivery of major infrastructure projects. This paper summarises experience, key activities and achievements in the implementation of circular economy approaches through the Development Phase of the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge) road scheme, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. The A303 Stonehenge scheme is the one of the first complex infrastructure projects in the UK to focus on the integration of circular economy approaches from the Preliminary Design stage. This paper summarises activities undertaken as a National Highways ‘Circular Economy Pathfinder Project’ between 2017 and 2021, during the Preliminary Design through to Construction Preparation stages of the scheme. The Pathfinder Project sought to identify stakeholders and establish mechanisms to integrate consideration and application of circular economy approaches into the scheme’s current Development and future Construction Phases. The work described is not specific to the A303 Stonehenge scheme, the general approach developed, and opportunities identified will influence this scheme and also inform other National Highways’ road schemes. The paper summarises experience and achievements to date, the approach is expected to continue to be developed through future road schemes. The paper describes the application of circular economy approaches by reference to National Highways’ Major Project Cycle and applicable planning requirements, however, the general approach and outcomes achieved are broadly similar to, and therefore transferrable to other major infrastructure projects. This paper is expected to be of interest to those interested in the practicalities of the transition to the circular economy.

BIM & Road safety – Applications of digitals models from in-built safety evaluations to asset management

The usage of Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology in complex infrastructure projects has been discussed in the scientific literature for many years and most of the applications lays on plan and design activities. However, BIM methodology is an innovative approach, and it could be used also in other thematic areas such as road safety. There are no well-known applications of BIM in road safety so one of the first steps of this work is to demonstrate that BIM can be used in road safety projects, especially the ones that use proactive approaches like International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) methodology. The good results of this initial analysis have led to a structured methodology.The core assumption of the methodology is to use the survey data for the creation of digital models useful for road safety projects and subsequent dynamic checks on the evolution of safety up to asset management and base starting point for further applications.The “multi-level” characteristic of the methodology assumes that BIM models Level of Development (LOD) is not a constraint. The methodology is fully efficient both with simplified models and as-built ones.All the phases of the methodology are linked: surveys are oriented to collect data for BIM models which contain road safety information; BIM models will be used to automate the iRAP coding by automating the input of infrastructure data and producing dynamic iRAP star ratings; the road safety countermeasures design will be based on the existing models which are continuously updated. Due to the survey results, all the models are also an advanced base for asset management and monitoring actions.An application was conducted on more than 50 km of roads of different typologies and results have shown the possibility to build a federated BIM model used by all the stakeholders involved in road safety, road assets management and road maintenance.

Talking About Futureproofing: Real Options Reasoning in Complex Infrastructure Projects

Complex infrastructure projects often attract criticism regarding their short- and long-term performance. An effective development process requires thinking about both present and future requirements. We employed the lens of real options reasoning to investigate the power of verbal theorizing, without the aid of analytical modeling, to add flexibility in the development process. Drawing on 32 semi-structured interviews with decision-makers involved in health estate projects, we examined if and how informal talks in the development process can lead to futureproof outcomes. Our findings synthesize and conceptualize relevant insights on iterative design thinking, affordability, bounded rationality, and motivational gaps as causal mechanisms for futureproofing talks and thus real options reasoning. This article contributes to the planning and project studies literature dealing with futureproofing complex infrastructure projects.

Managing Interdependence-Induced Systemic Risks in Infrastructure Projects

Complex by nature, infrastructure megaprojects rarely meet stakeholders’ expectations. A key characteristic of such complexity is the interdependence among different project stakeholders (e.g., contractors) where disruption of one contractor’s work may instigate (system-level) systemic risks, resulting in poor key performance indicators (KPIs) of the whole project. Attributed to the lack of appropriate analysis and quantification tools, managing the systemic risks resulting from such interdependence remains challenging. The current study fills this knowledge gap through proactive systemic risk management (i.e., early identification, analysis, mitigation, and continuous monitoring). The study enhanced and operationalized a previously developed conceptual framework, in which interdependence was quantified through employing complex network theoretic measures. Specifically, the current study correlated contractor interdependence to project KPIs in order to assess associated project systemic risks. Subsequently, a metaheuristic optimization technique was employed to reorganize the project’s schedule—effectively managing interdependence-induced risks. To demonstrate the utility of the developed methodology, a power infrastructure project was considered. Finally, the study provides valuable insights to improve the performance of complex infrastructure projects through proactive systemic risk management, ultimately enhancing the overall project’s hyper resilience (i.e., to interdependence-induced disruptions).

Effects between Information Sharing and Knowledge Formation and Their Impact on Complex Infrastructure Projects’ Performance

Adopting knowledge management theories from an inter-organizational perspective, this study aims to uncover the relationships among information sharing (IS), knowledge organization (KO), and knowledge integration (KI) through knowledge formation (KF) for improving complex infrastructure project performance. Two hundred and thirty-four valid questionnaires were collected from organizations involved in complex infrastructure projects, and their responses were evaluated using partial least-squares structural equation modeling. The findings show that IS has a significant effect on the improvement of project performance and manifests as multiple mediation roles through KO, KI and KF, not via the direct effect of IS on KI and that of KO on KF. Inter-organizational trust also plays a new and positive moderating role in the relationship between KO and KI, not in the relationship between IS and KO. This study not only provides insights on the practice of knowledge management for improving complex infrastructure project performance, but it also discovers new pathways of knowledge management and relational governance through project-specific knowledge formation.

Improved reliability in planning large-scale infrastructure project delivery through Alliancing

PurposePrice reliability for complex and highly complicated infrastructure projects is problematic. Traditional project delivery approaches generally fail in achieving targeted end cost reliability. However, integrated project delivery (and particularly Alliancing), develop a far more reliable and robust project delivery plan and outturn time-cost targets. This paper aims to explore why this may be the case.Design/methodology/approachThis case study investigated the project design, planning, cost/time estimation approach and how risk/uncertainty was dealt with. Five senior project delivery experts from an organisation that delivers multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects in Australia were interviewed. These five experts collectively had 100+ cross-disciplinary experience years delivering complex infrastructure projects.FindingsAlliancing adopts a radically different approach to project design, time/cost planning and risk assessment and management to traditional project delivery approaches. Key findings explain how the project alliance agreement designs-in processes that maximises team integration and collaboration. Analysis concludes that design thinking is used to craft and shape collaborative behaviours and project governance. Additionally, including project owner and facilities operator representatives in the project team adds valuable insights, expertise and knowledge contributing to planning reliability.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is exploratory and focussed on complex infrastructure projects so findings cannot be generalised.Practical implicationsWe unpack Alliancing processes that develop the target outturn cost plan, comprising a holistic and realistic plan to design a project to meet expected project outcomes. This case study may serve as an exemplar for complex project delivery.Social implicationsThis paper illustrates how Alliancing more effectively delivers best value than traditional procurement approaches through its TOC-TAE processes.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the scant existing academic literature analysing these processes. Its novel contribution is explaining how Alliancing treats unexpected events that in traditional delivery forms trigger expensive and time-energy-wasting disputation. This case study may serve as an exemplar for complex project delivery.

The interplay of access to organisational resources, firm innovativeness, and cooperative norms in technology transfer: testing a moderated mediation model

ABSTRACT In recent decades, many developing countries have launched transfer initiatives to develop their infrastructure, economy, and standard of living because they have not had the knowledge and technical expertise to implement large and complex infrastructure projects. Therefore, scholars have examined the technology transfer process from various perspectives. However, there is still a lack of understating of how access to organisational resources may indirectly relate to the technology transfer process. Thus, the current study aims to address these limitations by examining how firm innovativeness mediates between access to organisational resources and international technology transfer. Based on social exchange theory and using a resource-based view, we aim to assess the potential mediating role of firm innovativeness and the moderating role of cooperative norms. Data were collected from 150 middle and top managers at innovative agricultural companies in Kazakhstan. The results show that firm innovativeness mediates access to organisational resources and technology transfer. Moreover, the moderating role of cooperative norms on the path between firm innovativeness and technology transfer was proved.

Application of multi-criteria decision making for evaluation of key performance indicators of integrated project delivery and BIM model for an infrastructure transportation project in Western India

Multi-criteria-decision-making is a very effective tool for decision making in complex infrastructure projects. Building-information-modelling (BIM) and integrated-project-delivery (IPD) are adopted by the architecture engineering and construction industry because of their notable benefits to complex infrastructure projects throughout their project life cycle. Poor knowledge of the KPIs hinders integrated BIM and IPD adoption which results in affecting project timelines and budgets. This paper aims at evaluating the key performance indicators (KPI) of IPD and BIM for an infrastructure project of a metro rail construction located in western India. After an extensive literature review and experts’ opinions, a list of 24 KPI was identified. Further, factor comparison method and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory were utilized to prioritize the identified KPIs and disclose their interrelationships based on influential weight, respectively. The findings revealed the 16 most critical key performance indicators (MCKPI) which are vital for BIM and IPD adoption in highly complex infrastructure projects. Their interrelationship was represented by a causal diagram showing cause and effects groups. The results indicated the four most influential and critical KPIs. They were accessibility and accuracy of information by BIM, facilitating access to real-time data, interoperability and compatibility of data, and minimizing claims and disputes. Hence, more consideration should be given to the MCKPIs to enhance the project performance of complex infrastructure projects like metro rail construction.

Dynamic networks for resilience-driven management of infrastructure projects

The importance of ensuring the resilience (rapid adaptation to and recovery from disruptions) of infrastructure projects in modern societies can be hardly overstated. However, relying solely on currently available tools, managing such projects continues to be challenging because of their intrinsic complexities and dynamic spatiotemporal interdependencies. In this respect, the objective of the current study is to develop and apply a novel framework for resilience-driven management of infrastructure projects. By-design, the framework ensures project resilience through mitigating the risk of complex interdependence-induced vulnerabilities and subsequent cascade disruptions of project performance. The framework adopts a dynamic network modelling approach to simulate and analyze spatiotemporal contractor interdependence within infrastructure project sites. Subsequently, the framework harnesses the power of metaheuristic optimization techniques to proactively detect interdependence-induced vulnerabilities and rapidly adapt contractor networks accordingly. Such adaptation subsequently reflects on the work schedule—enhancing the overall project resilience to possible cascade disruptions of performance. Finally, to demonstrate the applicability of the developed framework, a several hundred million dollars power infrastructure overhaul project of high strategic importance was considered. Examining complex infrastructure projects through a network-level lens provides project managers with key managerial insights and deepened understanding of their projects' underlying interdependence-induced vulnerabilities and possible shortcomings of preset risk mitigation strategies. Overall, through its resilient-by-design approach to infrastructure projects, the developed framework empowers managers to ensure their projects absorb, recover from, and adapt to disruptive events persistently triggered by the dynamic risk environment of infrastructure projects.

Systems integration in infrastructure projects: seven lessons from Crossrail

A systems integration model for the delivery of complex infrastructure projects is proposed. From the Crossrail case, the authors draw seven lessons for clients to: (1) manage programme delivery as an integration activity; (2) actively manage systems integration; (3) ensure authority to make decisions; (4) maintain configuration control; (5) plan for a lengthy testing and commissioning phase; (6) appreciate supply chain products that may be part of unaligned global research and development programmes; and (7) do final integration only when there is something to integrate. Central to the argument is the idea that on such complex projects, the client cannot outsource systems integration and thus needs to recognise they retain accountability, though roles and responsibilities can be assigned to the delivery partner, supply chain, chief engineer and/or contracted systems integration firm. A key question for the client at the outset is how to distribute interface management and systems integration responsibilities while retaining accountability and oversight. Rather than managing through contracts, budgets and schedules, the authors suggest a changed approach with priority given to managing integration, and contracts, budgets and schedules that support and incentivise this.

Effects of lagging projectification in the public sector on realizing infrastructure projects

Abstract The public sector in Germany lags behind the economy in terms of projectification, i.e., the prevalence of projects and experience in applying project management. This has significant implications for realizing complex infrastructure projects in which the public sector is involved as one of the main actors. Nowadays, projectification represents a particular way of thinking about how to embrace a series of dynamic and challenging changes, design them, and implement them effectively for the benefit of society. A quantitative study of projectification in society in Germany was the starting point for our research, the results of which we compared with data from earlier studies of projectification in the economy. Using an interpretative case study drawing on insights from the Berlin Airport, we analyzed the impact of lagging projectification in the public sector in Germany on realizing infrastructure projects to propose suitable approaches. The results of this case study reveal significant effects of lagging projectification in the public sector of Germany on realizing infrastructure projects. In the case of the Berlin BER Airport, an inadequate governance system led to a 9-year delay in the completion date and a 250% overrun of costs directly attributable to the project. This could have been avoided by involving the private construction industry more collaboratively, by building on previous experiences gained, and by a more cooperative way of project planning and implementation. To guide future research, hypotheses are derived that can be used to analyze the underlying problem in greater depth and to derive recommendations for action.

Sustainable Green Finance towards a Green Belt and Road

AbstractAt the second Belt and Road forum in 2019, the Chinese government set out its intentions to develop a “Green Belt and Road”. This paper will examine critical issues arising from green-financed projects under the Belt and Road. In particular, the root issue of the lack of harmonized sustainability standards for green bonds globally. While there are positive regulatory developments, there is still a big gap between companies’ reporting metrics and investors’ growing expectations of what constitutes “green”—constituting “green washing”. This issue compounds as green projects under the Belt and Road are often complex infrastructure projects, where unexpected (and negative) externalities may sometimes occur on the ground. In this regard, this paper advocates for robust risk management, where accurate forecasting of environmental harm and stakeholder engagement are implemented actively throughout the project's life cycle. Finally, adequate dispute resolution and avoidance measures should be adopted to protect stakeholders.

NEA Framing Nuclear Megaproject “Pathologies”: Vices of the Modern Western Society?

The nuclear sector finds itself at a critical juncture, in part because recent large nuclear power plant projects in Europe and the United States have suffered from what some scholars have called megaproject “pathologies,” that is, the chronic failure of large, complex infrastructure projects to fulfill the “iron triangle” criteria of project performance: cost, timetable, and predefined project prescriptions. To explore the framings of such problems within the nuclear community, this paper analyzes the ways in which 19 experts at the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) diagnose such problems and their underlying causes. The analysis draws on framing theory and on the scholarship on megaprojects, with semistructured interviews providing the empirical material. The identified four frames highlight as key explanations for pathologies the “vicious circle” of lacking investment, erosion of skills, and construction problems; “bureaucratization and contractualization”; “broken markets”; and “complexity and nuclear-sector exceptionality.” Two overarching metaframes attribute the ultimate reasons to factors outside the projects and the nuclear community, notably to the lack of political leadership and the inability of the modern Western society to identify and pursue its own interest. The NEA frames bear significant resemblance to the alternative megaproject literature, which calls into question the very notion of pathology; stresses the complex, open systems character of megaprojects; and calls for flexibility and adaptability to better align megaprojects with their evolving context. However, the vital need to ensure and maintain an appropriate fit between nuclear-sector megaprojects and their ever-evolving environment deserves greater attention. Toward this end, introduction of OECD-style country peer reviews could constitute an opportunity toward collective “frame reflection,” in interaction with communities offering competing framings of the pathologies. Further research would be welcome on the role of the NEA in framing processes within the nuclear community and on the relationships between megaprojects and modernity in this high-risk industry.