Assessment of the Barriers Facing Supply Chain Management Integration in the South African Construction Industry

The construction industry is a motive force, and a good proxy to measure significant level of development in an economy. Supply chain management (SCM) is a significant aspect in the industry to help synergize collaboration between construction stakeholders to improve the performance in the construction sector. This study assessed the barriers facing SCM integration in the South African construction industry (SACI). The study adopted a quantitative research method with data gathered from the participants with the SACI. The information obtained was analyzed using mean item score, standard deviation, and Cronbach alpha. The findings showed that lack of integration in the SACI is influenced by factors such as lack of investments in supply chain management sector, lack of collaboration among constriction professionals, skills shortages in the construction sector, inefficiencies and delays in construction project delivery, limited use of technology in monitoring project progress, a lack of innovation and investment in the construction sector. These were seen as the barriers facing the adoption of SCM in the SACI. The lack of adopting SCM in the SACI can lead to enormous decline of the construction industry and economic infractions. Therefore, it requires an effective central government clear roadmap and industry stakeholders’ participation to help stifle the bottleneck currently maligning SCM integration in the SACI. This can be achieved through a national SCM strategy, that promotes SCM awareness and knowledge, by fostering a collaborative and innovative culture, and providing financial and technical assistance to this course. The study of SCM can efficiency and effectiveness in construction by promoting collaboration between construction stakeholders, greatly improve construction completion time, increase customers satisfaction and confidence, and most importantly improve the political economic situation in the region.