Abstract:
PURPOSE
Although adequate consideration is being accorded to
economic and environmental aspects of sustainable
development (SD) during infrastructure procurement,
the opposite seems to be the case with social sustainability
aspects (SSA). This study elicits the perspectives
of procurement officials working in public sector
infrastructure client organizations (ICOs) as it concerns
the factors influencing the incorporation of SSA during
infrastructure procurement.
RESEARCH METHOD
A mixed method research design was adopted. Qualitative
data was sourced from purposively selected interviewees
whilst quantitative data were obtained from respondents
within selected ICOs. Qualitative data were analysed
thematically and, descriptive statistics was deployed in
the analysis of the quantitative data.
FINDINGS
Results indicate a lack of awareness and a knowledge gap
concerning social sustainability aspects. Furthermore,
the results highlight the influence of the levels of
understanding within the ICOs on the degree of incorporation
of SSA aspects during infrastructure procurement. It is expected that these findings will contribute to the
development of awareness and, subsequent incorporation
of SSA by relevant stakeholders during infrastructure
procurement in the Free State Province.
VALUE FOR AUTHORS
The findings reveal how procurement personnel of
infrastructure client organizations view the concept of
sustainability and factors, which influence the approach
of various infrastructure client organizations in engaging
with the incorporation of SSA during the procurement
processes of the infrastructure projects.
