Building in Uncertain Time: Investigating New Normal Construction Risks Arising from the Military Coup

Abstract

The aim of this research is to identify new normal risks and adopt responses related to military coups that emerge in privately funded building construction projects in Myanmar. Additionally, the manageability of risks and effectiveness of risk responses were assessed on a five-point Likert scale. The data collection methods were firstly semi-structured interviews and secondly structured questionnaire surveys. A sum of 21 experts were interviewed to identify risks and responses. A sum of 62 professionals conducted assessments of risk manageability and response effectiveness. The major risks identified from the interviews include 28 risks related to scope, schedule, cost, quality, resource, procurement, and stakeholder. The risk ‘construction material costs increase due to the inflation rate as a result of the military coup’ is considered a very low manageable risk. The response ‘using alternative power solutions such as generators and/or solar, and buying water from non-government entities’ is considered a very high-effective risk response. These results may be used by construction companies working on building projects to understand the risks due to the military coup and the risk responses to increase the likelihood that their projects will be successful.