Integrating creating shared value into competitive strategies: case studies of Chinese international construction companies

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been considered as the key to tackle the dilemmas between business and society in the international construction market. However, CSR is too often placed at the peripheral rather than at the core of business. CSR has been evolved to the concept of creating shared value (CSV) with the consideration of its role to the companies’ value chain. This research aims to investigate how to integrate CSV into competitive strategies and develop CSV strategies for construction companies when operating in the international market. Chinese international construction companies are selected as the cases for this study. By using case studies with the assist of archival study, four general types of CSV strategies with regards to CSV issues are found: (1) products, (2) safety, health, and sustainable workforce, (3) local development, and (4) environmental protection. Construction companies are suggested to smartly select social and environmental issues and carefully exercise their CSV strategies to create shared value in the international market. The research gives views to international construction companies to develop CSV strategies from a strategic management perspective. It also provides valuable references to those companies which are facing similar dilemmas in the construction industry.