Thompson, R F and McDermott, P (2001) The management of architects within architectural businesses: A case study. In: Akintoye, A (ed.) Proceedings of 17th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2001, Salford, UK.
Abstract
The management of architects within architectural businesses has been identified as an issue which will influence the future behaviour of architectural practices. A previous paper Thompson et al. (2001) outlined previous research into the area and went on to develop a qualitative model (based on systems theory) which enables deeper research into architects businesses. The paper went on to develop a model of goals within a firm at strategic management and individual levels in the form of a Social Efficiency Map. This paper develops that model and explains why at individual level this model is based on the fulfilment model (founded in personality theory) which explains personality as based on a single force toward growth and actualization shapes our behaviour (Maslow 1943). The paper develops existing models of firms at management and strategic levels and describes their incorporation into the Social Efficiency Map. The paper then identifies the independent variables identified between firms and the rigorous selection process of firms included in the series of case studies, which enables a process of contrast comparison and replication between the firms by the research. The paper then reports on some of the findings in a recent case study of a traditional firm which forms part of the research. The paper concludes by comparing the results of the social efficiency map by a process of triangulation with questionnaires and the technique of participant as observer using the snowball method of opportunistic sampling (Fielding, and Fielding 1983). If the model proves effective the process will then be used to capture the 'worldview' (Wilson 1990) of architects within traditional, multidisciplinary, commercial and named design firms based on propositions developed from the RIBA study (1991).
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | architect; personal strategy; corporate strategy; congruence; social efficiency |
| Index terms: | case study, corporate strategy, design firm, efficiency, personality, independent variable, strategy, architect, questionnaire, sampling, architectural practice, strategic management, triangulation, systems theory |
| Subjects: | performance management, theoretical framing, management, behavioral psychology, statistical analysis, practitioner, business, research design and methodology, data collection methods, profession |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Governance, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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