Tang, Y; Wang, G; Li, H and Cao, D (2018) Dynamics of collaborative networks between contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry: Evidence from national quality award projects in China. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(9): 05018009, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Using the method of stochastic actor-oriented models and a longitudinal data set of the National Quality Award Projects in China during 1998-2017, this study empirically investigates how project-based collaborative networks between contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry evolve across projects, and how related micromechanisms collectively underpin the evolution. The results reveal that the networks become dense over time and exhibit distinct scale-free properties. Furthermore, these macrolevel characteristics of network dynamics significantly relate to the structure-based preferential attachment effect, the ownership similarity effect, the geographic proximity effect, the negative scale similarity effect, and the ownership-based individual covariate effect, which operates at a microlevel. The findings not only provide a network view of how construction organizations select subcontractors in projects, but also contribute to broadened understanding of how project-based collaborative networks among firms in the construction industry evolve as complex adaptive systems whose macrolevel dynamics closely relate to a set of micro-organizing mechanisms.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Chinese network dynamics; partner selection; project-based collaborative networks; stochastic actor-oriented models |
| Index terms: | partner selection, construction organization, construction industry, dynamics, ownership, complex adaptive system, China, subcontractor, evolution, evidence |
| Subjects: | partnership management, systems engineering, industry analysis, economics, Geography, environmental science, business, organization, evaluation and assessment methods, practitioner |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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