The determination of the importance degree of the factors which affects performance of Turkish construction companies in international projects through Delphi and AHP method

As a result of increasing globalization, the development of technology and new various trade agreements for international trade, firms have begun to take an active role in international markets. With the increasing tendency of internationalization, many construction companies have started to work on international projects. The construction sector is among the leading sectors contributing to the economy. Although the national construction sector is one of the leading sectors, it can be stagnant due to economic, political and environmental reasons. The level of competition, demand and profitability in the international construction sector is becoming more attractive than national projects. International projects have become a favorite market for Turkish contractors as well as for contractors in the world, because with international projects firms are opening up to new markets, accessing new employers, increasing company awareness and growth rate. Turkish contracting firms have started to work on international construction projects, not limited to national construction projects, in order to reach the producers' factors cheaper and easier way, to enlarge their firms and to reach new users and partners by participating in international competition. Despite the many advantages of the international construction sector, it has enormous risks too. Political, economic, environmental, social and cultural factors in the international sector have more risks than the national sector, due to the fact that the dynamics are more variable. For this reason, the risks faced in international projects are damaging to contracting construction companies, by damaging company reputations and even bringing firms to bankruptcy. This study was carried out with the aim of improving the cost, time and quality performance of contractors in international projects and to be able to be affected at the lowest level in the international sector risks. Firstly, the concept of internationalization, researches was carried out about the internationalization of construction companies and Turkish construction companies, and findings were included in the second part of the study. In the course of the study, the literature survey have been investigated and the factors affecting the performance of the contractors in international projects have been determined and findings were included in the third part of the study. Factors affecting the performance of contractors in international projects in the direction of literature survey are gathered in three main headings as market country factors, firm factors and project factors. The sub-factors that constitute the main headings were also determined in the light of the literature survey, and the effects of each factor on the performance of international projects were examined in Chapter 3 of the study. Contractors in each country are affected at different rates than factors affecting international project performance. For some, some factors affect the project at high rates, while others affect the project very little. For this reason, in Section 4 of the study, the importance degree of the factors affecting the performance of the contracting construction companies in the international projects, which are determined in the direction of the literature survey, are investigated for Turkish contractors. A questionnaire on the subject was organized with successful Turkish contractors in international construction projects. Survey results were analyzed using the AHP and Delphi Method and the results obtained were analyzed in Chapter 4 of the study. As a result, , the importance degree of the factors affecting the performance of Turkish contractors in international projects has been determined. With the help of information that is reached as a result of the study Turkish construction contractors ,who are actively involved in the international projects and who want to be a part of international projects, will be able to select the right market country and international project suitable for their strategies. And they will be able to take necessary precautions by determining their firms missing operational features.