Behavior of the government as a construction client : impacts on the performance of public funded infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This research focuses on examining the impact of government behavior on public funded infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. The study aims to fill the existing research gap by investigating the crucial situations that impact government behavior in the Sri Lankan construction industry. The research problem statement is formulated as “how does government behavior impact public funded projects in Sri Lanka?” A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore the subject areas of public funded infrastructure projects, government behavior, and their impact on project success. The review highlighted the limited research attention given to the impact of government behavior in the Sri Lankan context. The research methodology adopted a case study approach, with infrastructure projects as the unit of analysis. Two cases were investigated for each type of infrastructure project which were selected relevance to the research objectives. Data collection techniques included expert’s interview through semi-structured interview method in public funded projects in Sri Lanka, as well as document reviews to gather cost data and cross-validate information. The collected data was analyzed using within case and cross-case analysis based on content analysis. The qualitative data obtained from interviews was coded by manually to identify themes and patterns. The analysis focused on identifying interrelationships and differences between cases, enabling the drawing of conclusions and making comparisons. The findings of the study on the how the behavior, decision-making, policies, and actions of the government, particularly as a client in construction projects, impact the performance of infrastructure projects funded by the public sector. This involved evaluating factors like project delays, budget overruns, quality of work, and adherence to standards, efficiency in procurement processes, stakeholder engagement, and overall project outcomes influenced by government actions This research contributes to the construction industry by providing insights into the role of government behavior and its impact on the success of public funded projects. The findings can inform policymakers, project stakeholders, and industry professionals in improving the effectiveness of infrastructure project delivery in Sri Lanka.