Evaluation of social risks in large-scale infrastructure projects in India – a comparative study using relational and traditional approaches

Large-scale infrastructure projects (LSIPs) are characterized by huge costs, high complexity, a high propensity for risks, and a long-lasting impact on the environment and society. While past researchers have extensively studied project risk and associated issues, much less is explored about social risks, a particular category of risks rooted in the social contexts of the LSIPs. The gap is starker in the context of developing countries. To address this gap in knowledge, a network analysis approach is used to explore various social risks and their interdependencies in LSIPs in India. Data was collected from 23 risk management experts working in Indian LSIPs through a matrix-based questionnaire and subsequent interviews. A Social network analysis (SNA) of the social risk interactions identified labor unrest, environmental pollution, and public resistance as the most critical in LSIPs. The SNA-based risk criticality scores were also compared with the traditional probability-impact-based risk perception scores, and divergence of the results was observed. The study concludes by suggesting an actionable social-risk mitigation framework. The findings provide insights on the social risk interaction patterns and emphasize the importance of taking a relational perspective in conjunction with the traditional probability-impact-based view while assessing such risks in LSIPs.