Knowledge Transfer in the African Construction Sector: The CSR and Sustainable Development Nexus

Abstract

This chapter asks why years of foreign direct investment (FDI) in construction by international construction companies working in Africa, has not yielded sustainable knowledge transfer to the largely unskilled construction workforce in their communities. It is worth to note that knowledge transfer has attracted increasing interests in development studies, and is considered as a critical factor to benchmark performance within projects and in industry. The integration of knowledge transfer initiatives into the CSR projects of international construction companies operating on the African continent is less explored, particularly that of Chinese contractors who are increasingly gaining visibility on the continent. This study utilises a hybrid methodology, using Nigeria as a case study location. Strategic CSR issues related to Chinese international construction companies (CICCs), who currently occupy a significant market share in the African construction sector are examined, with an analysis of knowledge transfer (KT) initiatives and perceptions as it relates to these firms. It also identifies key barriers to the implementation of KT by foreign construction firms, and the future direction of sustainable knowledge transfer on the continent. Questions about identification and classification of issues in knowledge transfer for sustainable development are answered in this report, with findings showing that knowledge transfer is only realisable when integrated into a set of policies and synchronised with stakeholder perceptions. The chapter also attempts to deconstruct the nuances of knowledge transfer in the light of competencies and skills shortages. Also, the chapter critiques the foreign contractors’ emphasis on income-generating and image-enhancing CSR activities at the expense of knowledge transfer and employee training, providing recommendations on knowledge transfer for sustainable development of the construction sector in Africa.