Amadi, A (2019) A cross-sectional snapshot of the insider view of highway infrastructure delivery in the developing world. International Journal of Construction Management, 19(6), pp. 472-491. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
An extensive range of literature reporting research into technical practices by highway agencies in the developed world abound, several of which have spotlighted shortcomings in the practices of the highway agencies. However, a discernible gap in the literature is evident in the paucity of studies which have similarly spotlighted practices in the developing world. This is despite difficulties experienced by ex-colonial countries in tropical areas, in designing roads suitable for their terrain, and setting up technical organizations to adequately manage funds allocated to highway development. This study provides a cross-case insider perspective to highway project delivery in the developing world, using a geotechnical trajectory. The results reveal a consistent lack of adherence to best practice underlain by knowledge/skill gaps within the highway agencies. These, further compounded by a political and conflict driven procurement climate account for the backward state of highway project delivery in the Niger Delta region. The study findings serve as a sneak-peak into the contextual issues impacting on the maturity of highway infrastructure in the developing world.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | developing country; highway agency; highway infrastructure; practices |
| Index terms: | highway infrastructure, highway construction, best practice, developing country, agency, Niger Delta |
| Subjects: | business, sociology, development economics, physical geography and landforms, civil engineering |
| Topics: | International Construction, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here