Wong, C H; Holt, G D and Harris, P T (1999) UK construction clients' opinions of the contractor selection process. In: Hughes, W (ed.) Proceedings of 15th Annual ARCOM Conference, 15-17 September 1999, Liverpool, UK.
Abstract
The rigour of the methodology used to select a main contractor ultimately impacts the outcome of a project. Combined quantitative and qualitative assessment of contractors' attributes can facilitate selection of a good contractor. Quantitative approaches include: multivariate discriminant analysis; multiple regression; fuzzy set theory; the PERT approach; and cluster analysis. Growing awareness of these selection methods reflect the increasing needs of the industry and importance attached to the selection task. However, lack of attention has been given to clients' opinions impacting the selection process, particularly, in aiding the knowledge of understanding contractors' attributes. This paper surveyed UK construction clients in this respect to elicit clients' preferences and opinions regarding contractor pre-qualification practices, and final selection methods and opinions. Findings from analysis of these data are presented. Direction for future research is also provided.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | contractor pre-qualification; lowest-priced tender; project-specific criteria; pre-qualification; tendering |
| Index terms: | construction client, cluster analysis, fuzzy set theory, contractor pre-qualification, discriminant analysis, methodology, contractor selection, multiple-regression, main contractor, preference, selection method, pre-qualification |
| Subjects: | tendering, research methods, practitioner, statistical analysis, decision-making and optimization, data analysis and analytics, decision-making and reasoning |
| Topics: | Procurement, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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