The Effective Creation of Social Value in Infrastructure Delivery

Abstract

The need to create social value during the delivery of infrastructure projects is growing in importance. However, it can be argued that the initial expectations of stakeholders at the outset of projects are not being achieved once the project is delivered. At present there is no consistent and widespread methodology for the successful delivery of social value outcomes. The problem therefore exists that despite infrastructure having the potential to play a transformative role in the creation of social value; current outcomes are arguably not as effective as they could be. The aim of this research is to understand how social value is currently created and delivered in gas infrastructure works. Through the use of five case studies of small community-based gas infrastructure projects that are part of a wider nationally significant network, the tensions at the heart of social value delivery are revealed. How the social value agenda moves through project stages is revealed as key to minimising social value barriers and ensuring successful social value delivery. The results serve as important lessons for ensuring infrastructure projects effectively create and deliver desired social value outcomes.