Investigating stakeholder concerns during public participation

Abstract

Developing major infrastructure and construction (MIC) projects is complicated, since it involves multifaceted policy issues. As a result, appropriate participatory mechanisms have been increasingly employed to improve the legitimacy of the project decision process. Yet it cannot always guarantee a mutually acceptable solution since the expectations and requirements of multiple stakeholders involved can be diverse and even conflicting. Overcoming this necessitates a thorough identification and careful analysis of the expectations of various stakeholder groups in MIC projects. On the other hand, though most project stakeholder concerns are consistent across the globe, contextual differences may lead to diverse priority levels being attached to these factors. This research, therefore, aimed to examine the perceptual differences between paired stakeholder groups from mainland China mega-cities and Hong Kong in rating their concerns over MIC projects. The research findings are expected to benefit both the Central Government of China and the Government of Hong Kong SAR for coping better with the rapid expansion of MIC projects in the territory and the increasing expectations of social equality, and therefore achieving the much desired harmonious development of the community.

Major Barriers to the New Residential Building Energy-Efficiency Promotion in China: Frontlines’ Perceptions

“…On the other hand, regulatory policy has traditionally been tackled from the top down, that is to say, from the perspective of regulators (bureaucrats, officials, politicians) rather than from the perspective of those regulated (citizens, businesses, consumers) [66]. Under current governance arrangement in China, it is suggested by the author that governments shall pay more attention on the frontline stakeholders' voices via multiple approaches such as interviews or field offices [67,68].…”

Public participation in infrastructure projects: an integrative review and prospects for the future research

“…, 2017; Leung et al , 2013). Another is linked to conflict, which is mentioned in project tasks, paying attention to the differences and contradictions between stakeholders' expectations, demands and concerns (Li et al. , 2016).…”

“…Research studies on interaction focused on two aspects: one is related to game of interest and distribution, which is based on the attribute of stakeholders, for example, the game of power and interest (Yu and Leung, 2018;Oppong et al, 2017;Leung et al, 2013). Another is linked to conflict, which is mentioned in project tasks, paying attention to the differences and contradictions between stakeholders' expectations, demands and concerns (Li et al, 2016).…”

Target Setting Outlook for New Residential Building Energy Efficiency Promotion in China: A Frontline Perspective Using Delphi

“…Sixteen popular techniques for facilitating the collection of stakeholders' opinions have been identified: these compromise interviews, field offices, hotlines, displays or exhibits, newspaper inserts, information bulletins, surveys, participatory television, brochures, contests, mediation, charrettes, Delphi method, simulation games, providing technical assistance to stakeholders, and training programs for stakeholders. No consensus has yet been reached over formulating a universal and effective way of collecting and understanding stakeholders' opinions after comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each technique [18,19]. Of all these techniques, the Delphi method is the most popular method for collecting opinions and solving complicated problems [20].…”