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Prudence in project handover: a multi-method exploration of risk readiness capability interdependence in predicting successful handover of major infrastructure projects

Prudence in project handover: a multi-method exploration of risk readiness capability interdependence in predicting successful handover of major infrastructure projects
Prudence in project handover: a multi-method exploration of risk readiness capability interdependence in predicting successful handover of major infrastructure projects

Drawing on a nuanced perspective of prudence theory, we examine the interdependence among risk readiness capability factors in predicting the successful handover of major infrastructure projects We first apply ISM–MICMAC analysis to identify key risk readiness sub-factors explaining handover failures. Next, Structural equation modelling is employed to explore the underlying structure of the interdependencies of these risk readiness sub-factors reframed within temporal dimensions of ‘foresight’and ‘oversight’. The analysis shows marked differences in comparative factor importance, with ‘foresight’ showing strong dominance over ‘oversight’. Finally, using Artificial Neural Networks, we test the predictive validity of the identified readiness structure by assessing its ability to predict successful handover, measured in terms of ‘timeliness’ and ‘functionality’. Results show that while both ‘foresight’ and ‘oversight’ predict handover success, ‘foresight’ emerged as the stronger predictor. The study’s originality lies in integrating prudence theory and risk readiness literature to theorise the frameworks guiding project-to-operations handover.

handover, major infrastructure, prudence theory, risks readiness, structural relationship, Prudence theory
0953-7287
Ojiako, Udechukwu
Chipulu, Maxwell
12545803-0d1f-4a37-b2d2-f0d21165205e
Khan, Sharafuddin Ahmed
7749249d-be15-431e-8568-5a51c7b39c15
Marshall, Alasdair
93aa95a2-c707-4807-8eaa-1de3b994b616
Dweiri, Fikri T.
70bfbf34-49ed-47b2-9bf7-3be2a40260e4
Williams, Terry
085e6e3e-f94e-435c-936e-82fb0c5c4ae8
Shou, Yongyi
b62e4391-baef-4449-9ca9-16aa90be8197
Al Hosani, Ihsan
77a680f7-3e4a-4c77-b0b0-4d2137088ae6
Ojiako, Udechukwu
Chipulu, Maxwell
12545803-0d1f-4a37-b2d2-f0d21165205e
Khan, Sharafuddin Ahmed
7749249d-be15-431e-8568-5a51c7b39c15
Marshall, Alasdair
93aa95a2-c707-4807-8eaa-1de3b994b616
Dweiri, Fikri T.
70bfbf34-49ed-47b2-9bf7-3be2a40260e4
Williams, Terry
085e6e3e-f94e-435c-936e-82fb0c5c4ae8
Shou, Yongyi
b62e4391-baef-4449-9ca9-16aa90be8197
Al Hosani, Ihsan
77a680f7-3e4a-4c77-b0b0-4d2137088ae6

Ojiako, Udechukwu, Chipulu, Maxwell, Khan, Sharafuddin Ahmed, Marshall, Alasdair, Dweiri, Fikri T., Williams, Terry, Shou, Yongyi and Al Hosani, Ihsan (2026) Prudence in project handover: a multi-method exploration of risk readiness capability interdependence in predicting successful handover of major infrastructure projects. Production Planning & Control. (doi:10.1080/09537287.2026.2631719).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Drawing on a nuanced perspective of prudence theory, we examine the interdependence among risk readiness capability factors in predicting the successful handover of major infrastructure projects We first apply ISM–MICMAC analysis to identify key risk readiness sub-factors explaining handover failures. Next, Structural equation modelling is employed to explore the underlying structure of the interdependencies of these risk readiness sub-factors reframed within temporal dimensions of ‘foresight’and ‘oversight’. The analysis shows marked differences in comparative factor importance, with ‘foresight’ showing strong dominance over ‘oversight’. Finally, using Artificial Neural Networks, we test the predictive validity of the identified readiness structure by assessing its ability to predict successful handover, measured in terms of ‘timeliness’ and ‘functionality’. Results show that while both ‘foresight’ and ‘oversight’ predict handover success, ‘foresight’ emerged as the stronger predictor. The study’s originality lies in integrating prudence theory and risk readiness literature to theorise the frameworks guiding project-to-operations handover.

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The handover readiness factors_02_02_26_full - Accepted Manuscript
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Accepted/In Press date: 9 February 2026
e-pub ahead of print date: 27 February 2026
Keywords: handover, major infrastructure, prudence theory, risks readiness, structural relationship, Prudence theory

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 511332
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/511332
ISSN: 0953-7287
PURE UUID: fa2e38e1-caa0-48a9-abd8-02942251f2c3
ORCID for Maxwell Chipulu: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0139-6188
ORCID for Alasdair Marshall: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9789-8042

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 12 May 2026 16:36
Last modified: 13 May 2026 01:43

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Contributors

Author: Udechukwu Ojiako
Author: Maxwell Chipulu ORCID iD
Author: Sharafuddin Ahmed Khan
Author: Fikri T. Dweiri
Author: Terry Williams
Author: Yongyi Shou
Author: Ihsan Al Hosani

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