Performance of MBE/DBE/WBE construction firms in transportation projects

The goal of this research is to conduct a comparative investigation of the performance of minority/disadvantaged/women business enterprise (MBE/DBE/WBE) versus non-MBE/DBE/WBE companies in transportation projects. A performance assessment model was developed in a survey format following review of contemporary performance measurement tools. The survey was administered to prequalified MBE/DBE/WBE and non-MBE/DBE/WBE companies in transportation projects nationwide. The names and addresses of these companies were obtained from U.S. DOT websites. Comparisons between the two groups were made using the Mann-Whitney test. When the test was administered to the entire group regardless of firm size and age, non-MBE/DBE/WBE companies outperformed MBE/DBE/WBE companies. However, MBE/DBE/WBE companies were smaller and had been in business for fewer years than non-MBE/DBE/WBE companies. When MBE/DBE/WBE and non-MBE/DBE/WBE companies of similar size and age were compared, the study revealed that there are no significant differences in performance.