Bresnen, M J (1986) A study of forms of project organisation and matrix management: case studies from the construction industry. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham, UK.
Abstract
This study investigates the forms and processes of interaction that occur in the organisation and management of projects. It takes as its empirical focus of enquiry the situation in the UK construction industry; and uses, as its database, five case studies of medium to large-scale, 'one-off' construction projects. The literature on project organisation and management is reviewed, with attention directed towards the phenomenon of matrix forms of organisation and related processes of management. A critique is developed which assesses the implications of inter-organisational linkages in the coordination and control of project task work. This critique forms the basis for a model of construction organisation and management from which a series of propositions are derived for empirical investigation. Five case studies of construction projects, explored longitudinally and using qualitative research techniques, are described and analysed. The main finding to emerge from the study is that: the more there is a need for a more 'flexible' administrative arrangement and approach towards managing work that is complex, uncertain and interdependent, the less likely this is in fact to occur, to the extent that 'contractual' considerations inform the parties' approaches. This is contingent upon three sets of features: the form and basis of the relationship, and its meaning to those involved; the broader relationship between the organisations concerned (eg their goals, resources); and the internal setting within each organisational group. The implications of the findings for models of project and matrix organisation are assessed. A recommendation is made for the more explicit and separate treatment of interorganisational relationships, due to the differential motivational basis underlying interaction.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction project; coordination; linkage; motivation; project organisation; qualitative research; UK |
| Index terms: | database, critique, linkage, case study, construction organization, coordination, interorganizational relationship, interaction, construction industry, investigation, motivation, project organization, meaning, construction project, qualitative research |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, research design and methodology, organization, business, psychology, organizational theory, production management, management, industry analysis, behavioral psychology, data management, sociology |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Project Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| 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