Assessing Socially Innovative Policies and Practices in Construction Procurement in the Built Environment: Lessons for Ghana

The study assessed policy and practice motivations for social innovation in the construction industry and lessons that can be drawn for Ghana. A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was employed to gather and analyze quantitative data during the first phase. Results from the study’s first phase formed the basis for qualitative data gathering during the second phase and were analyzed using content analysis. Results showed that, while policies and laws such as the Public Service (Social Value) Act, 2012 UK, South Africa’s Affirmative and Preferential Procurement Policy, in addition to the Canadian Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal rights spurred attention to social innovation, practices for implementing these policies are set-aside, preferential and target procurement, in addition to award criteria or performance obligation in contracts among others. The study further showed valuable lessons for the Ghanaian built environment. These include socio-economic transformation through employment generation, training and skills development, wealth redistribution to deprived communities where construction works are undertaken, and poverty reduction. The study draws the attention of policymakers to the untapped opportunities in procuring construction works for social regeneration. The study also serves as an essential empirical basis for reviewing public sector procurement laws, regulations, policies, and practices to integrate social innovation. The study contributes to the global discourse on social innovation in the built environment.