Shohet, I M and Frydman, S (2003) Communication patterns in construction at construction manager level. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 129(5), pp. 570-577. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The procurement process of construction projects has been affected by developments in the field of Information Technology, as well as by the need to cope with growing technological challenges stemming from the integration of multiple building systems into tall and complex buildings. Furthermore, since the procurement phases are undertaken simultaneously, project complexity is increased, and increased integration among them is therefore required. These constraints have made the management of complex construction projects less of an architectural and engineering issue and more of a managerial one. In turn, this has led to an increasing use of the "construction management" concept in the procurement process. This study focused on communications in construction management procurement of building and residential projects in Israel. Communications between the construction manager and the design team were found to be vital in ensuring adherence to project objectives. Communication means were classified as "formal" - written technical information, and as "informal" - verbal communications. Construction managers in Israel still use informal communications in 50% of their interactions with their project counterparts. The study concludes that design capabilities should be one of the essential qualifications required of a construction management firm. In addition to the more traditional responsibilities, such as planning, scheduling, and coordination, the scope of the construction manager's professional duties should emphasize the aspect of quality management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication; design; managers |
| Index terms: | project complexity, duty, information technology, construction project, residential project, integration, construction manager, design team, Israel, manager, scheduling, procurement process, quality management, interaction, coordination, building system, technical information, construction management procurement, qualification |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, behavioral psychology, organizational analysis, technology management, production management, Geography, organizational theory, educational resources, economic development, management, professional practice, contractual arrangements, operations research, practitioner, computing systems, engineering systems, contractual role, profession |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Roles and Professions, Procurement, Urban Studies, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Quality Management, Education, Contract Administration, Time Control, Organizational Design |
| 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