Effect of Organizational Culture on Delays in Construction Industry of Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to examine the intricate relationship between delays in the construction industry and organizational culture, with a specific focus on understanding how cultural factors influence project performance in Pakistan’s construction industry. The construction industry holds significant importance in driving economic growth and infrastructure development, but delays in construction projects remain a persistent and pervasive challenge globally. Addressing this issue requires a detailed investigation of the various factors contributing to delays in the construction industry. One of the potential key factors may be the organizational culture. Organizational culture is conceptualized as a framework of shared beliefs, values, and norms that shape the interpretation and understanding of various factors within the organization. The research involved conducting an extensive online questionnaire survey among construction professionals, stakeholders, and project participants in the northern region of Pakistan. The survey comprehensively covered various aspects, including the identification of common causes of delays, an in-depth assessment of organizational culture such as the six key dimensions of the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) including Dominant Characteristics, Organizational Leadership, Management of Employees, Organizational Glue, Strategic Emphases, and Criteria of Success., and the evaluation of their potential influence on project delays. The data collected from the survey were subjected to statistical analysis to identify patterns, correlations, and relationships between organizational culture and project delays. The findings revealed that Clan culture dominated the construction industry in the region, characterized by a strong sense of trust, collaboration, and shared values among individuals. However, the chi-square test results indicated that there was no significant association between the dominant organizational culture and the delays experienced in construction projects. This suggests that while organizational culture may influence project management practices, there are other external and project-specific factors that might significantly impact project timelines. Furthermore, there are several limitations that need acknowledgment. Firstly, the sample size was limited to construction organizations in the northern region of Pakistan, affecting the generalizability of the results. Future research may include a more diverse sample from various regions to strengthen findings. Additionally, an approach involving different statistical techniques vi and qualitative methods, like focus groups, is essential to fully understand the link between organizational culture and project delays.