Risk Factors Affecting the Performance of Construction Projects in Gaza Strip

Background: The construction industry is generally associated with a high level of risk and ambiguity because of the nature of its working contexts. In the Gaza Strip, construction projects are among the riskiest projects, which require the application of the right rules and adherence to the proper management standards. Identification of these risks is the first step in risk management. Aims: This study aims to investigate and understand the main risks faced by the construction projects in the Gaza strip. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to achieve the study aim, whose applicability was tested through a pilot study. Using targeted participants from engineering offices and consulting engineering companies, 70 questionnaires were distributed and collected with a response rate of 85.71%. The Quantitative method was used for data analysis using SPSS. 38 risk factor statements were considered from the seven clusters of risk factors. Results: The results show that the political risk factor was determined to be the highest with a Relative Important Index (RII) of 75.47%, while the design factor was the least factor with an average RII of 61.89%. Conclusion: It is recommended that companies should appoint a specialist in the field of risk management.