Critical success factors using analytic hierarchy process: Perception of professionals in the Ethiopian construction sector

Multiple studies have been conducted on critical success factors (CSFs) in the construction industry in developed markets but only a few studies have focused on CSFs in emerging markets. The purpose of this study is to identify and prioritize CSFs in an emerging economy and compare the prioritization of various stakeholders. A total of 19 CSFs were selected from the literature and a pilot study for incorporating into a survey. The survey was distributed to 84 industry professionals in Ethiopia working in various construction capacities including owners, contractors, consultants, and academia. The analytic hierarchy process was used to collect the opinions of professionals, while Expert Choice© 11 was used to process the data for analysis. Kendall’s correlation coefficient was used to compare the responses of various stakeholders. The result indicates that Clear and Precise Goals, Competency of Consultant, and Consultant Track Record are the top three CSFs in the Ethiopian construction industry. The findings highlight that there is disagreement between the major stakeholders involved in the construction process. This study introduces a multi-criteria decision technique to provide a comprehensive list of CSFs for construction projects to enhance the overall project performance in the Ethiopian construction industry.