The Role of stakeholder engagement in the adoption of social sustainability in construction projects in Kenya

Abstract

The construction industry in Kenya has demonstrated laxity in the adoption of social sustainability, owing to the subjectivity of the measurement criteria, as well as lack of identifiable tangible benefits to the implementers. Stakeholders of these projects provide a vital bridge to this reluctance. The main aim of this study was to examine the role of stakeholder engagement to the adoption of social sustainability in construction projects in Kenya. The scope of the study was stakeholder aspects and their influence on the adoption of social sustainability by construction practitioners. The specific objectives were: to examine the influence of neighbourhood community aspects on the adoption of social sustainability in a construction project; to establish the influence of media aspects on the adoption of social sustainability in a construction project; to explore the influence of local government aspects on the adoption of social sustainability in a construction project; to analyse the influence of industry consultants aspects on the adoption of social sustainability in a construction project; to assess the influence of client aspects on the adoption of social sustainability in a construction project and; to examine the influence of end-user aspects on the adoption of social sustainability in a construction project. Cross-sectional research design was employed in this research, where 129 out of 200 NCA 1 contractors responded to the survey. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS software where results of descriptive and inferential statistics were generated. The study recommends strengthening of community leadership and engagement, enhancing County Government involvement and policy enforcement, leveraging industry consultants’ expertise, empowering end-users through value-driven approaches and utilizing media influence effectively to promote adoption of social sustainability in construction projects. Key Words; sustainability, construction industry, stakeholder engagement