Quality assurance of cross-border construction logistics and supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the Hong Kong-Mainland China links

Abstract

<p>This study examines the quality assurance (QA) practices of cross-border construction logistics and supply chain (Cb-CLSC) amid the pandemic by adopting an embedded mixed-method design involving a comprehensive desk literature review and experts across the Hong Kong–Mainland China links. The study revealed 10 critical QA practices, with the top three critical practices comprising 'understanding requirements, norms, and standards of quality', 'assigning clear responsibilities to qualified workers' and 'recording and documenting work processes, project routine, and seamless implementations'. This attained a relatively good percentage agreement of 55% between the industry and academia. Sentiment analysis denoted the impacts of the pandemic to be largely neutral, i.e. the created opportunities neutralise the negative impacts. This study deepens the understanding of the subject matter to help practitioners, researchers and policymakers develop innovative approaches and make operational decisions to position QA adequately for the post-pandemic era and endure the risks of future pandemics.</p>