Dioguardi, G (1983) Macrofirms: Construction firms for the computer age. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 109(1), pp. 13-24. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The turbulent building construction industry—a condition applying today to the entire economic system—determined both by macroeconomic causes (general trends) and by micro economic factors (the irregularity of Contract awards) points to the need for flexible organizational models in which large firms become “Macrofirms,” playing a role based predominantly on coordination and management, while the smaller enterprises would undertake activities of a specialized character. The implementation of such models can only be attained by subcontracting specialized work, making it possible for small specialized firms to count on continuous specialized work for their personnel. In this type of model, defined as a “heliocentric Copernican” type system, the use of management information systems must be highly developed and computer utilization extended not only to bookkeeping and general clerical tasks, but also and above all to management and planning. Eventually, these information systems should be extended to support preventive, routine and special maintenance services for the upkeep and improvement of the buildings constructed.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | building construction, construction firm, personnel, routine, information system, subcontracting, implementation, economic factor, coordination, management information system |
| Subjects: | information systems, building construction, sociology, data management, economic concepts, management, contractual arrangements, organization |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Construction Technology, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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