Social Value (SV) remains difficult for Construction Firms to articulate, define, implement, and quantify within the society due to its subjective nature, local specificity, and lack of globally accepted targets. This is particularly the case for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who may lack understanding of what SV means in practice and why it is of significance for them to do. Furthermore, despite the growing organisational understanding of SV, at the project level, Project Managers (PMs) experienced and inexperienced alike continue to lack understanding due to lack of guidance of how to deliver SV. This dissertation aims to contribute to existing knowledge of how SV can be created within the community by the Construction Industry (Cl); however, more specifically to provide support for construction SMEs and PMs who are unfamiliar with the concept of SV and its delivery in the community through their projects. To achieve this aim, the question is asked of how construction firms and PMs create SV in their communities of operation (CoO) through their projects. To fulfil the aims and objectives of this study a mixed method research is adopted . Following the review of literature, a semi – structured online questionnaire (including both quantitative and qualitative questions) was distributed to gather insight from UK Construction Firms. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with experienced PMs and Site Managers to understand what SV means to them and how they deliver it in their CoO, through their projects. Following analysis of the data, a set of guidelines are provided within this dissertation. Key findings include the general understanding of SV by construction firms and management professionals to be the positive impact which businesses have in terms of social, economic, and environmental benefits for various stakeholders of the business both internal and external. SV is further understood to mean the way in which construction organisations leave a positive legacy for their stakeholders. This is by making positive contributions to the community to enhance it, as well enhance the community’s experience of construction project operations. In terms of SV creation in the community, the main ways included through the development of focused organisational SV Policy and Plan which is underpinned by thorough understanding of the client and the specific community within which the project is built. A wide range of activities considered to be SV adding are also illuminated within this dissertation. Further research is needed to further capture the extent of the understanding of SV by construction organisations and their project teams, as well as to understand more specifically how they measure and account for the impact of their SV activities within their CoO. A more thorough understanding of the challenges and barriers to SV creation by construction organisations and their project teams is needed as well how identified barriers and challenges can be managed and resolved.
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