Survival and Revival: Transition Path of the Chinese Construction Industry During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused extensive influence on the world’s economy and society. Many industries suffer from enormous losses in China, while the construction industry achieves a “V’ shape revival in performance. Based on an online survey of 283 Chinese civil engineers, this study reveals that the construction industry encountered difficulties of lack of workers, blocked transportation, shortage of materials, and inadequate funds, which led to common problems of schedule delay and cost overrun during the pandemic. Key measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and help the construction industry transit from survival to revival include efficient epidemic control, various government support, usage of digital technologies, and flexible management and communication schemes. These responding strategies imply that the government, the construction industry, and construction enterprises should improve information technology intelligence to meet the challenges of a global pandemic.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• Construction Industry
• Performance
• Response Strategy

EMJ Focus Areas:

• Organizational & Performance Assessment
• Economics of Engineering
• Engineering Management Profession
• Operations Management

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Office for Philosophy and Social Science of China under Grant [No.17CSH028] (Youth Project).

Notes on contributors

Zhimin Wang

Zhimin Wang is currently an associate professor in School of Accounting, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, PRC. Her research focuses on construction economics and corporate strategy. She received her PhD in 2015 in Planning and Urban Development from the University of New South Wales, Australia. She earned her master degree in Technical Economics and Management and bachelor degree in Land and Real Estate Management from Renmin University of China in 2010 and 2008.

Xiaoshan Cai

Xiaoshan Cai is currently an associate professor in School of Culture Tourism and Geography, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, Guangzhou, PRC. Her research focuses on industrial economics and public policy. She received her PhD in 2012 in Industrial Economics from Jinan University, China. She earned her master degree in Industrial Economics and bachelor degree in Economics from Jinan University and South China Agricultural University of China in 2008 and 2006.

Zixiao Liu

Zixiao Liu is an undergraduate student in School of Accounting, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. His research interests include corporate technology innovation management and economics.