Enshassi, A; Arain, F M and Tayeh, B (2010) Subcontractor prequalification practices in Palestine. International Journal of Construction Management, 10(4), pp. 45-74. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The construction industry is a major part of the Palestinian economy. Contracting companies carry out important construction projects in cooperation with subcontractors. The majority of elements of a construction project (such as shuttering, building, plastering, painting, carpentry, and ironmongery works) are implemented by subcontractors through the main contractors. The aim of this paper is to identify and rank the factors used by main contractors in the selection of suitable subcontractors in the Gaza Strip, and to propose recommendations for improving the selection of subcontractors. A survey was conducted of 57 main contractors and 57 subcontractors randomly selected from the Gaza Strip. The study revealed the important factors used by main contractors for selection of suitable subcontractors. These include adherence of the subcontractor to contract terms, adherence to time schedule, commitment to prices, good reputation, expertise in certain type of work, commitment to quality and the existence of required equipment and machinery. Factors related to the resources group were identified as the most important group of factors among the 16 groups used for the selection of subcontractors. It is recommended that contractors select the subcontractor according to previous experience, reputation and capabilities in terms of labour, equipment and machinery, since these items ensure the subcontractor's commitment to contract conditions and completing the works according to the time schedule and while achieving best quality. This paper would be valuable for all academics and professionals involved in construction contracting business in general.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | main contractor; prequalification; selection process; subcontractor |
| Index terms: | Palestine, contract term, main contractor, contract condition, Gaza Strip, construction industry, survey, commitment, subcontractor, cooperation, construction project |
| Subjects: | psychology, practitioner, data collection methods, industry analysis, production management, Geography, contractual condition, physical geography and landforms, contract structure |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here