McDermot, E; Agdas, D; Rodríguez Díaz, C R; Rose, T and Forcael, E (2022) Improving performance of infrastructure projects in developing countries: An ecuadorian case study. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(13), pp. 2469-2483. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Improving the quality of infrastructure is crucial for sustainable development. Providing infrastructure faces many challenges–both financially and in terms of how projects are delivered. This is particularly apparent for developing countries. This research aims to (a) determine the key factors influencing the successful delivery of infrastructure projects, (b) provide an example of these factors as manifested on an important Ecuadorian flood control and irrigation infrastructure project and (c) identify key learnings for future projects in similar contexts. Many of the key failure factors identified in the literature were evident on the example project, validating the literature findings and indicating that the learnings may be relevant to the context of developing countries more widely. These factors included insufficient planning, unrealistic estimates, poor stakeholder communication, bureaucracy, insufficient ground investigation and an inadequate project delivery system. Addressing these issues is an important step towards improving infrastructure delivery in developing countries.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | developing countries; Ecuador; infrastructure; project management; project performance |
| Index terms: | Ecuador, failure factor, developing country, sustainable development, infrastructure delivery, face, project performance, investigation, project delivery, project management, stakeholder communication, estimate, infrastructure project, case study |
| Subjects: | infrastructure and transport systems, development economics, professional development, project management theory and practice, health safety and environment, Geography, project delivery, financial and cost management, strategic project management, psychology, data collection methods, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Procurement, Risk Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Cost Management, Health and Safety, Organizational Design, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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