Social value in digital-enabled construction projects
Creators: name: Salazar-Vela, Jose
Publisher: name: Loughborough University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 339999
subject: Other built environment and design not elsewhere classified

description: Since the Social Value Act 2012, strengthened by the Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/20 requirements, Social Value has gained a special interest in the construction industry due to its potential to create social, economic, and environmental well-being in the built environment. At the same time, the built environment is undergoing a digital transformation. Digital-enabled Construction Projects comprise digital technologies and processes to improve the delivery and operation of the built environment, of which Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a significant enabler. Furthermore, the Transforming Infrastructure roadmap to 2030 in the UK prioritises societal outcomes by harnessing digital processes and technologies in the built environment, highlighting the need to integrate Social Value in Digital-enabled Construction Projects. Although Social Value literacy has improved recently, it has been investigated primarily in non-digital environments, and there are still issues and disagreements surrounding its definition, measure, and management approach, particularly in digital construction.This thesis investigated the integration of Social Value within Digital-enabled Construction Projects during the design phase. A qualitative research study was conducted to investigate four different construction sector projects using a multiple-case study approach. Subsequently, a validated framework was developed, encompassing the integration of the Social Value process into digital-enabled construction projects. This framework delineates Social Value Outcomes and enabling activities, ensuring Social Value considerations during the design phase of Digital-enabled Construction Projects.The research design used an iterative theory-building process characterised by the following three stages: (1) Exploration, (2) Development (main data collection), and (3) Validation. The (1) exploration stage was carried out by reviewing literature and secondary data and attending industry workshops. The iterative process improved the understanding of the phenomena and identified the criteria for the initial concepts of the research framework. The (2) Development (main data collection) stage was completed by online graphic-facilitated interviews with twenty-one industry stakeholders and reviewing secondary documentation about their projects. As a result of the snowball sample, the information on the projects provided by the participants and data analysis revealed four pertinent construction project types, which were identified and categorised into office, education, residential, and railway. The interview transcripts were categorised and coded in Nvivo for an abductive thematic analysis. In this stage, the Affinity Diagramming technique was employed using an online platform, MIRO, which aided in visualising linkages, patterns, and correlations between the themes. The thematic analysis led to a revised framework identifying outcomes, enabler activities and barriers. Lastly, the (3) Validation stage comprised focus group sessions, two group sessions and one interview with experts from the industry and academy, validating the final framework for integrating Social Value in Digital-enabled Construction Projects.Overall, the framework significantly contributes to the knowledge of Social Value in the digital built environment in three ways. The framework identifies the (1) Barriers faced when integrating social value in digitally enabled Construction Projects. (2) Social Value Outcomes that can be delivered and managed in Digital-enabled Construction Projects. The Social Value Outcomes can be linked with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and existing digital Social Value tools. Finally, the (2) enabling activities that integrate Social Value with Information Management and Digital Design Processes, adapted from ISO 19650 and the RIBA Plan of Work. This research offers a new perspective on how digital construction can maximise the delivery of Social Value. The research framework provides theoretical and practical applications to enable Social Value integration in the digital built environment.