Review of studies on risk factors in critical infrastructure projects from 2011 to 2023
Review of studies on risk factors in critical infrastructure projects from 2011 to 2023
Purpose: This research aims to systematically review studies on significant risks for Critical Infrastructure Projects (CIPs) from selected top-tier academic journals from 2011 to 2023. Design/methodology/approach: In this research, a three-step systematic literature review methodology was employed to analyse 55 selected articles on Critical Infrastructure Risks (CIRs) from well-regarded and relevant academic journals published from 2011 to 2023. Findings: The findings highlight a growing research focus on CIRs from 2011 to 2023. A total of 128 risks were identified and grouped into ten distinct categories: construction, cultural, environmental, financial, legal, management, market, political, safety and technical risks. In addition, literature reviews combined with questionnaire surveys were more frequently used to identify CIRs than any other method. Moreover, oil and gas projects were the subjects most often explored in the reviewed papers. Furthermore, it was observed that publications from Iran, the USA and China dominated CIRs research, making significant contributions, accounting for 49.65% of the analysed articles. Research limitations/implications: This research specifically focuses on five types of CIPs (i.e. roadways, bridges, water supply systems, dams and oil and gas projects). Other CIPs like cyber-physical systems or electric power systems, were not considered in this research. Practical implications: Governments and contracting firms can benefit from the findings of this study by understanding the significant risks associated with the execution of CIPs, irrespective of the nation, industry or type of project. The results of this investigation can offer construction professionals valuable insights to formulate and implement risk response plans in the early stages of a project. Originality/value: As a novel literature review related to CIRs, it lays the groundwork for future research and deepens the understanding of the multi-faceted effects of these risks, as well as sets practical response strategies.
Construction risks, Critical infrastructure, Risk, Risk categorisation, Risk identification, Systematic literature review
Al-Mhdawi, M.K.S.
e23cdd27-fe4c-4aec-81b3-be2b2616bf6c
O'connor, Alan
f3cb8b03-5c8a-4c66-8a6a-6ec566df4cf7
Qazi, Abroon
9ef4fdc7-0a1a-4805-a46c-5d210b523517
Rahimian, Farzad
73b2c53f-c29e-440c-bbc0-64e64e1b5d62
Dacre, Nicholas
90ea8d3e-d0b1-4a5a-bead-f95ab32afbd1
16 February 2024
Al-Mhdawi, M.K.S.
e23cdd27-fe4c-4aec-81b3-be2b2616bf6c
O'connor, Alan
f3cb8b03-5c8a-4c66-8a6a-6ec566df4cf7
Qazi, Abroon
9ef4fdc7-0a1a-4805-a46c-5d210b523517
Rahimian, Farzad
73b2c53f-c29e-440c-bbc0-64e64e1b5d62
Dacre, Nicholas
90ea8d3e-d0b1-4a5a-bead-f95ab32afbd1
Al-Mhdawi, M.K.S., O'connor, Alan, Qazi, Abroon, Rahimian, Farzad and Dacre, Nicholas
(2024)
Review of studies on risk factors in critical infrastructure projects from 2011 to 2023.
Smart and Sustainable Built Environment.
(doi:10.1108/SASBE-09-2023-0285).
Abstract
Purpose: This research aims to systematically review studies on significant risks for Critical Infrastructure Projects (CIPs) from selected top-tier academic journals from 2011 to 2023. Design/methodology/approach: In this research, a three-step systematic literature review methodology was employed to analyse 55 selected articles on Critical Infrastructure Risks (CIRs) from well-regarded and relevant academic journals published from 2011 to 2023. Findings: The findings highlight a growing research focus on CIRs from 2011 to 2023. A total of 128 risks were identified and grouped into ten distinct categories: construction, cultural, environmental, financial, legal, management, market, political, safety and technical risks. In addition, literature reviews combined with questionnaire surveys were more frequently used to identify CIRs than any other method. Moreover, oil and gas projects were the subjects most often explored in the reviewed papers. Furthermore, it was observed that publications from Iran, the USA and China dominated CIRs research, making significant contributions, accounting for 49.65% of the analysed articles. Research limitations/implications: This research specifically focuses on five types of CIPs (i.e. roadways, bridges, water supply systems, dams and oil and gas projects). Other CIPs like cyber-physical systems or electric power systems, were not considered in this research. Practical implications: Governments and contracting firms can benefit from the findings of this study by understanding the significant risks associated with the execution of CIPs, irrespective of the nation, industry or type of project. The results of this investigation can offer construction professionals valuable insights to formulate and implement risk response plans in the early stages of a project. Originality/value: As a novel literature review related to CIRs, it lays the groundwork for future research and deepens the understanding of the multi-faceted effects of these risks, as well as sets practical response strategies.
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More information
e-pub ahead of print date: 16 February 2024
Published date: 16 February 2024
Additional Information:
This research proves invaluable for researchers and project professionals involved in the planning and execution of infrastructure projects. It offers a detailed understanding of the risk landscape across various sectors and geographical contexts, empowering professionals to effectively foresee and counteract potential challenges. Identifying common risk factors and assessing their impacts, the study delivers practical insights that can guide the development of robust risk management strategies. This is particularly useful for professionals eager to implement proactive measures at the early stages of project development. Moreover, the synthesis of a decade's worth of research into a coherent analysis provides a rich resource for enhancing strategic decision-making and operational efficiency in critical infrastructure projects. The findings from this review not only enrich the academic discourse but also serve practical purposes, aiding project managers, policymakers, and contractors in navigating the complex dynamics of infrastructure development.
Keywords:
Construction risks, Critical infrastructure, Risk, Risk categorisation, Risk identification, Systematic literature review
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 492600
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/492600
ISSN: 2046-6099
PURE UUID: 45687668-06cf-4569-80dc-27e0321a7df9
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Date deposited: 07 Aug 2024 16:42
Last modified: 07 Aug 2024 16:42
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Contributors
Author:
M.K.S. Al-Mhdawi
Author:
Alan O'connor
Author:
Abroon Qazi
Author:
Farzad Rahimian
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