Chan, P W; Abbott, C; Cooper, R and Aouad, G (2005) Building future scenarios: A reflection for the research agenda. In: Khosrowshahi, F (ed.) Proceedings of 21st Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-9 September 2005, London, UK.
Abstract
Over the last decade, there has been numerous foresight studies conducted across countries and industries, including within the UK construction industry. While these studies help signpost future scenarios, it is questionable as to whether consideration of these scenarios actually translates into practice at grassroots level in the industry. This paper therefore reflects on the relevance of foresight studies in developing research agendas. Through a review of a selection of foresight studies, a number of shared future trends and implications for the built environment across the studies were elicited. The trends include an aging populating, flexible working and living, globalisation and a shift towards the service industry; while implications encompass increasing competition, move towards customer-centric models and investment in people. A workshop was conducted with practitioners and academics to validate these commonalities. Finally, the current research portfolio of the Salford Centre for Research and Innovation (SCRI) was mapped along these themes to establish gaps that the centre could develop as future research. Such an exercise if done regularly should prove useful to ensure that research is always kept abreast with current trends and that research is conducted to meet the challenges ahead.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; future scenarios; research; workshop |
| Index terms: | research agenda, workshop, exercise, reflection, competition, globalization, practitioner, built environment, construction industry |
| Subjects: | infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, economic factors, market analysis, research management, professional development, practitioner, health behaviours and lifestyles, construction type |
| Topics: | International Construction, Urban Studies, Information Management, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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