Project reputation in construction: A process-based perspective of construction practitioners in the UK

The overall aim of this study is to elicit the perspective of practitioners (e.g., architects, civil engineers, building engineers, structural engineers and quantity surveyors) on the process-related factors influencing the project reputation of construction organisations. To achieve this aim, the study adopts a mixed methods approach which commenced with a review of extant literature in order to produce an exhaustive hypothetical list of process-related factors influencing project reputation. This review resulted in the identification of 29 process-related factors which was operationalised into a questionnaire survey. After an essential pilot study was conducted, the survey was distributed to a wide audience of construction practitioners in order to elicit their experiential opinion on process-related factors influencing project reputation of construction organisations. The responses from the survey were subjected to statistical processes, which include Reliability Analysis, Relative Importance Index (RII), Kruskal-Wallis and Multiple Regression Analysis. After establishing 25 statistically reliable process-related factors influencing project reputation via reliability analysis, the study further revealed an impressive general agreement of 88% of the process-related factors. Multiple regression analysis was subsequently conducted to unravel the key drivers influencing project reputation of construction organisations. This analysis revealed six key factors which include: successful completion of project without adverse environmental issues; competent project manager; friendly culture generated within project; competent project participants; successful completion of project without health and safety issues and regular client consultation. This research finding will provide a benchmark for construction organisations to develop project reputation which will invariably impact organisational reputation. In addition, the findings of this study will allow project stakeholders to prioritise 'few' critical issues that will unquestionably impact their project reputation during the implementation of the project plan.