Identification of challenges hinderingeffective stakeholder managementin Turkish construction projects

The construction sector is one of the fundamental components of the global economy, encompassing a wide industry that includes multiple sub-sectors. In developing countries like Turkey, the construction sector significantly contributes to economic growth. This sector has a dynamic structure characterized by high employment capacity, project-based operations, substantial capital requirements, and high risks, along with the simultaneous management of numerous stakeholders and processes. Therefore, effective stakeholder management in construction projects is of great importance. Effective stakeholder management emerges as a critical challenge that directly influences the success of construction projects. In this context, it is essential for companies operating in the Turkish construction sector to develop robust stakeholder management strategies in order to achieve their project objectives. However, for these strategies to be both sustainable and effective, it is of great importance to first identify the key challenges that hinder stakeholder management. The aim of this study is to identify the problems faced by stakeholders in the Turkish construction sector regarding stakeholder management, determine the critical challenges that hinder effective stakeholder management, analyze their frequency of occurrence, and assess their level of importance. In line with this objective, a systematic literature review identified 69 potential bariers that hinder stakeholder management, based on which a survey form was developed. The survey was administered both online and face-to-face to a sample group consisting of architects, civil engineers, material suppliers, and contractors actively working in the Turkish construction sector. As part of the research, data were collected from 170 project stakeholders across the country. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analyses using the IBM SPSS 22.0 software. As a result, this study identified the critical challenges that hinder effective stakeholder management in construction projects. Revealing the frequency and significance of these challenges will contribute to minimizing stakeholder management problems and enable the establishment of a more successful and sustainable management process in construction projects.