Critical Success Factors of Sustainable Project Management in CPEC Projects

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Proposed Topic
Critical Success Factors of Sustainable Project Management in CPEC Projects
Applicant
Muhammad Emad (恩马)
Supervisor Name
Associate Professor Yi-Hsin Lin, Ph.D.（林 艺 馨）
Study Program
Masters of Science in Civil Engineering Management

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Abstract
The construction industry is vibrant in nature due to the increasing innovations in
technology, constraints of budgets and modern development challenges. The study of
critical success factors (CSFs) is unique and different method to nip essential elements for
project success. CPEC construction projects in Pakistan gave a new dimension to
construction industry; but success in this field cannot be achieved without having
competitive contractors, consequently, focus of this research will be to identify variables
which are necessary for contractors to gain success in construction projects. Sustainable
Project management, organization structure, organization resources, competitive strategy
relationship, bidding, marketing, technology and external environmental, social and
economic factors are identified as critical success factors for contractor’s success in CPEC
construction projects. The focus on these critical success factors can produce better results
in the project execution and turns in to a profitable business for the contractor.

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1 Introduction
Background of Research
Success is the primary goal of every business venture. Construction business is the most
demanding among businesses and to stay alive in it, success is the key. Due to advanced
architectural features, new innovative designs, complex structures, size of structures
becoming gigantic, introduction of modern techniques and machinery and adding time
constraints it is necessary to focus on critical factors in the execution life of the project.
Thus, contractors need to have more focus approach towards the critical features of the
project to stay competitive and successful in the industry. Success always have many stories
but losers have none therefore success vary in terms of definitions, in most simple manner
success is defined as achieving targets and meeting expectations. Due to these changes in
the construction industry the focus has been shifted in identifying success or failure factures
of the project all over the world. Time, cost and quality are conventional parameters for
identifying success. Now it is the time to go deep in identifying the features or elements
(CSFs) which contribute towards the success in order to save enormous loses and valuable
future of the construction company.
Risk is the imperative element in the construction business, which if not managed
properly may leads towards failure, therefore it is necessary for the companies to devise
strategies to focus on factors which lead them to success. Detail working reveals large no
of factors in every stage of the project, which is practically impossible to meet, therefore
we need to focus on few but important critical success factors which leads Construction
Company to success. Implementing these factors might require some additional resources
e.g. financial, trained expertise of some specialist like management peoples and need time
to focus on these aspects. But the impact which will be received by following these critical
success factors is far more beneficial than the investments; large scale projects essentially
need these factors to be focused upon in order to control wastage of time, resources and
cost factor of projects.
Therefore, it is very important to identify these factors and implement in the
construction industry so that maximum benefit can be achieved from these, which will
contribute ultimately towards the success of the project. In this study, researcher will focus

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upon, studying building construction projects with the preview of contractor and developing
the checklist of critical success factors so that projects like that can be managed efficiently
and purposely. The target is major construction zone of Pakistan i.e. province of Punjab and
federal capital, where multiple (with no limit contractual power) construction firms are
working in the field of construction.
Research Gap
Construction industry in Pakistan is growing much faster than expected, if we study
the past the construction activity in the country got a major boost. Last ten years in the
country we have seen construction activities on massive scale which include infrastructure
development, Energy projects, Hydro projects, commercial and residential buildings, Still
there are number of major projects in pipeline i.e. construction of Gwadar port, CPEC and
allied facilities. This industry in Pakistan is getting focus of national and international
developers; it is very important to focus on removing major impediments in the success of
this industry. Conventionally contractors were uneducated and successful when the
structures were simpler but due to major shift in architectural requirements and complex
structural designs this field is demanding technical expertise and processionals. There is a
strong need to focus on resolving variety of issues i.e. project management aspects
concerning this industry in order to improve its performance and competitiveness.
Significance of Research
Construction industry plays a vital role in the development of the countries researchers have
found that its value addition in GDP (Gross domestic product) of any developing country
is about 10 to 12 %. Surprisingly this one industry is source of supporting to number of
other industries in the country e.g. manufacturing of steel, cement, electrical, manufacturing
of sanitary products, bricks manufacturing, paint industry, wood products and number
others. Apart from supporting these industries the most important impact gained by
promoting construction activities in the country is resolving the problem of unemployment
by creating thousands of job opportunities in construction and supporting industries. So, the
boost to construction industry is vital for improving the economic health of any country.
The focus of this research is to develop the framework of critical success factors of
sustainable project management for contractor’s success in construction projects and

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making it a tool for checking the competency of contractors in the light of critical success
factors evaluated after this study. The main focus was on practical implementation of theses
success factors and on comparison of these success factors of the participating
companies/contractors.
Research Questions
The main focus of this research is evaluating a framework of critical success factors for
contractor so that he can focus upon element of success in this field and giving him the
opportunity to access various dimensions of competitiveness in different stages of project
implementation. Identified objectives are as follows:
 To study the success factors for Sustainable construction projects through a
detailed literature review.
 To identify the critical success factors for Sustainable construction projects with
contractor’s perspective through survey based interviews.
 What are project managers’ roles in overcoming barriers and using drivers in the
sustainable construction process?
 What are the challenges in sustainable construction project process?
 To suggest the critical success factors for contractor’s success and clients to
evaluate the competitiveness of contractor in Sustinable construction projects in
Pakistan.
To answer these research questions, firstly, the sustainable project management concept and
its relation to construction industry are introduced. Secondly, the main focuses and process
in Sustainable construction projects are presented according to the literature. Then, the
challenges for Sustainable construction projects are highlighted during the process of green
building projects. Simultaneously, project managers’ roles in dealing with these challenges
are discussed, considering their role in Sustainable construction.A summary of the
challenges and related project managers’ role is presented at the end of each phase. To
conclude, the importance of project managers’ role for successful delivery of sustainable
construction projects is highlighted in addition to the main learning points of this study.
Finally, the possibilities for future research are suggested.

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2 Methodology
Research Approach
The first step in designing the methodology for any research is selection of the research
structure. The chosen methodological structure should be guided by the research
question(s). Guidelines for matching research questions with the appropriate methodology
have been offered by several researchers (Ellram, 2015; Handfield and Melynk, 2016;
Stuart et al., 2013; Yin, 2014). Method adapted from Handfield & Melynk, (2016) and
Stuart et al., (2013) is useful for identifying the appropriate research structure based on the
research purpose and questions. Our research purpose and questions are similar to the
relationship building category in that author is looking for patterns and linkages between
variables, and a better understanding of why the relationships exist. Handfield & Melynk
(2016) identify multiple-case study and/or best-in-class case study as appropriate
methodological design for the research questions being explored in this study. Näslund
(2013) and Yin (2014) also suggest case study methodology is well suited to meet the
requirements of answering “why” and “how” questions such ours that examine
contemporary phenomena in-context where control over behavioral events is not required.
Therefore, a best-in-class, multiple-case design will be adopted.
Research Method
In this research questionnaire survey is proposed as the most appropriate method for study.
The research work will be carried out in order to reach the objectives is conducted in three
phases.
Exploratory Phase
 Searching for literature through various resources which include internet,
construction management journals, researchers who worked upon this aspect in
different parts of world construction industry.
 Studying the prospect of Pakistan construction industry professional by
interviewing them in order to sort out the factors found important in the literature
review.
 Developing the questionnaire focussed towards the qualitative research.
 Carrying out pilot survey based on the developed questionnaire by going to

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selected construction professionals to find out the acceptability of these factors in
the field.
 Carrying out the amendments in the questionnaire based on the pilot survey/initial
feedback.
Survey/Feedback
 Interviews and discussions will be carried out with the professionals of these
organisations basing on the developed questionnaire and grades will be awarded
accordingly to these factors.
 Compilation of the data is carried out in order to move to the next phase.
Data Analysis
 After compiling the data analysis will be carried out by statistical software
 Hypothesis will be developed prior to the analysis by SPSS software
 Qualitative analysis aspects are focussed
3 Research Project Timeline
Sr. # Description Duration
1 Comprehensive literature reviews of construction price indices 06 Weeks
2 Data Collection from the different construction firms 06 Weeks
3 Data Compilation and Analysis 06Weeks
4 Thesis writing and submission 06 Weeks
Total Duration 24 Weeks
4 Conclusion
Results are expected to add value to both the practitioner and academic communities.
Implications for managers are found in the prescriptive insights that can result from this
research. The economy of Pakistan is highly influenced by construction activities. The focus
on these critical success factors of sustainable project management can produce better
results in the project execution and turns in to a profitable business for the Chinese
contractor. The CSFs in this study will provide a direction for the Chinese contractor’s for
managing its resources and client’s to assess the competitiveness of contractor firms in

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order to get a maximum advantage in the particular context of Pakistan construction
industry.
5 References
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