Integrated project delivery implementation among construction SMEs in Sri Lanka: barriers and strategies

Abstract

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to Sri Lanka's economy, particularly in the construction sector, which largely relies on traditional procurement methods. This reliance results in persistent issues due to industry fragmentation. To address these challenges, it is vital to investigate the applicability of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), a procurement method tailored to address the needs of construction SMEs. Despite its potential benefits, comprehension and implementation of IPD within the Sri Lankan construction industry remain limited due to the intricate nature of SMEs. Hence, the study aims to investigate the strategies to minimise barriers to IPD implementation within construction SMEs in Sri Lanka through a qualitative approach. A total of 15 semi-structured interviews with Sri Lankan construction industry experts were conducted. The literature review identified a range of barriers, including financial, technical, legal, and cultural challenges, which were further explored through these interviews. The research highlighted the lack of advanced strategies within Sri Lanka's construction SMEs to address these challenges effectively. Significant barriers to IPD implementation, such as narrow-mindedness, reluctance to change, and copyright issues, were validated and identified through the manual content analysis. The study proposes several strategies to facilitate IPD implementation, including introducing new guidelines from the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), setting minimum parameters for team selection, implementing various versions of IPD rather than a pure IPD approach, and addressing conflict points early. The research offers valuable insights for both academia and industry practitioners, presenting strategies to enhance the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of construction SMEs through the adoption of IPD.