Zungu, Z; Laryea, S and Nkado, R (2025) A critical literature review on organizational resilience: Why current frameworks are insufficient for contracting firms in the construction industry. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(15), pp. 1847-1858. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The construction industry's dynamic and unpredictable nature necessitates that contracting firms develop organizational resilience to navigate and adapt to a wide range of challenges effectively. However, existing research on organizational resilience does not sufficiently address the unique context of contracting firms within the construction industry. This study conducts a critical review of the literature on organizational resilience, evaluating the practical utility of existing frameworks within the context of the construction industry. Using a systematic search, 11 frameworks are identified and analyzed through content analysis. These frameworks are evaluated against 13 key factors that are essential for a contracting firm's survival in the construction industry. The findings of the study reveal that the existing organizational resilience frameworks overlook three essential elements of a contracting firm survival, such as diversification, bid strategies, and marketing strategies. Consequently, it is recommended that existing models be adapted to address these limitations, enhancing their applicability and effectiveness within the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | bid strategy; construction firms; diversification; marketing strategies; organizational resilience frameworks |
| Index terms: | organizational resilience, literature review, content analysis, strategy, construction firm, diversification, marketing, effectiveness, construction industry, survival |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, business, industry analysis, management, performance management, environmental science, organization, market analysis |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Quality Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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