Investigating the impact of community disruptions on construction projects in South Africa: stakeholders’ perspective

Purpose – The alarming rate of organised crime groups and other agitators disrupting activities, including construction projects, especially in developing countries, calls for concern. These disruptions may threaten infrastructure delivery if not mitigated. Studies regarding the impact of a qualitative approach are scarce. This research explores the perceived impact of community disruption on construction projects in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – This research employed a qualitative design and accomplished saturation with 11 interviewees. The participants were the consultants, the general workforce, subcontractors, the project management team and the surrounding communities of the Tshwane University of Technology projects in South Africa. This research adopted a thematic analysis, and data were analysed manually. Findings – This study clustered the 16 distinct impacts of community disruptions on construction projects into industry, community and infrastructure development impacts. The 16 distinct areas include social cohesion and community wellness, community economy, community development and impact on contractors, professionals and the industry. Others are economic impact, distinctions between public and private sectors, social impact, effects on project duration, project costs, project quality, severe consequences of physical harm and loss of life, intimidation, emotional harm, the need for assessing trends and extortion. Originality/value – As part of this study’s value, the impact resulting from community disruptions on construction projects in South Africa has important implications for policymakers, industry stakeholders and researchers. By highlighting the complexities of the impact of community disruptions and offering new insights, this research lays the groundwork for more effective strategies to address this critical issue.