Title: Risk management application in South African power utility construction projects

Authors: Modisakoma J. Kgosietsile; Bheki B.S. Makhanya; Jan Harm C. Pretorius

Addresses: Postgraduate School of Engineering Management, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, South Africa ' Postgraduate School of Engineering Management, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, South Africa ' Postgraduate School of Engineering Management, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: South Africa's largest electricity producer has embarked on mega investments to build new power stations. This paper reports on the risk management maturity level, and risk management processes. The research adopted the survey research method and self-administrated questions to collect primary data. The investigation targeted the total population of 100 engineers, technical managers, safety officers and quality officers. The researchers collected a total of 44 useful responses. The research established that the overall risk management maturity at the intermediate level. The risk response planning and risk monitoring were identified as processes that need improvement. The risk factors in the South African power utility construction projects were a lack of pre-planning, the level of contractor's performance, community unrest, labour unrest, safety incidents, defective work and poor risk management skills. The paper has both theoretical and practical implications despite the limitations associated with the study design.

Keywords: project; project management; construction management; risk; risk management; construction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2022.126425

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2022 Vol.14 No.5/6, pp.646 - 665

Received: 30 May 2020
Accepted: 21 Nov 2020

Published online: 26 Oct 2022 *

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