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COVID-19 and Construction: Impact Analysis on Construction Performance during Two Infection Waves in Victoria, Australia

Author

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  • James Bell

    (Noble Trading Manufacturing Pty Ltd., Gembrook, VIC 3783, Australia)

  • Henry Chan

    (Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia)

  • Michael Chan

    (Department of Transport, Victoria State Government, Melbourne, VIC 3151, Australia)

  • Sungkon Moon

    (Department of Civil Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea)

Abstract

This research outlines the fluctuation in confirmed active cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as related to the changes in the Victoria state government’s rules and restrictions. Further, this study examines the impact of government restrictions on the performance of construction in Victoria, Australia. The data analyses in this paper identify the specific effects on industrial production, during the different lockdown stages, in three local construction companies. Companies were selected from different points along the supply chain. Company A is a supplier involved in the manufacturing of structural steel. Company B conducts logistics and procurement. Company C is a construction engineering business specializing in foundations. After reviewing relevant case studies and theories, data analyses were developed in collaboration with these companies. The results revealed that the impact of restrictions on the workers on individual construction projects was not significant. Stage 4 restrictions (Victoria’s highest lockdown level) significantly impacted overall income by limiting construction to only servicing essential infrastructure or essential businesses. The novel contribution of this study is the data analysis outcome for Victoria, where a high level of restrictions were experienced, such as curfew and enforced isolation at home, relative to other countries. In 2021 and 2022 (omicron variant dominated), Victoria was again at the brink of an infection wave, which showed a similar pattern to July 2020, and endured the world’s longest COVID-19 lockdown. The research findings contribute to the body of knowledge by providing empirical data analysis of each company, representing the economic impact of ordinary small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in construction.

Suggested Citation

  • James Bell & Henry Chan & Michael Chan & Sungkon Moon, 2022. "COVID-19 and Construction: Impact Analysis on Construction Performance during Two Infection Waves in Victoria, Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2580-:d:756723
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Beck, Matthew J. & Hensher, David A., 2020. "Insights into the impact of COVID-19 on household travel and activities in Australia – The early days of easing restrictions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 95-119.
    2. Leviäkangas, Pekka & Mok Paik, Seong & Moon, Sungkon, 2017. "Keeping up with the pace of digitization: The case of the Australian construction industry," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 33-43.
    3. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas & Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan & Veronika Penciakova & Nick Sander, 2025. "SME Failures Under Large Liquidity Shocks: an Application to the Covid-19 Crisis," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 23(2), pages 431-480.
    4. Sebnem Kalemli-Ozcan & Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas & Veronika Penciakova & Nick Sander, 2020. "COVID-19 and SME Failures," IMF Working Papers 2020/207, International Monetary Fund.
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    1. Zorana Petojević & Milica Savić & Aleksandra Parezanović & Ana Nadaždi, 2022. "COVID-19 Struggle and Post-COVID-19 Recovery: Exploring the Governance, Success, and Digital Transition in Construction Projects in Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-25, December.

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