Miles, D W J (1997) The development of intermediate construction enterprises. PhD thesis, Loughborough University, UK.
Abstract
The thesis draws upon the author’s published work to analyse ways of overcoming the multi-faceted constraints affecting the intermediate construction sector (small contractors using technologies appropriate for local conditions and resource availability) in low- and middle-income countries. Following an introductory chapter, chapter 2 reviews the concept of appropriate construction technology, illustrated by a case study on the development and transfer of labour-based road construction and maintenance technologies. Chapter 3 examines the regulatory framework that governs the industry, comparing the situation in industrialised and developing countries, and concluding with a perspective on the nature of competition in the global construction market. Chapter 4 deals with the application and content of construction management training methodologies and delivery systems, including training needs, delivery of training and the respective roles of governments and employers' organisations. Chapter 5 describes the practices, problems and needs of intermediate contractors, noting the link between the appreciation of the potential benefits of appropriate technology and the value of promoting small enterprises, which are best placed to apply it. Chapter 6 proposes systems and procedures to enable intermediate enterprises to develop and reach a sustainable level. It draws upon recent experience of privatisation of intermediate construction activity in developing countries, illustrating the need to attend to attitudinal and related change in the client organisation as well as promoting the emerging domestic contracting industry. The key conclusion is that the performance of intermediate contractors in developing countries can be significantly improved providing the initiative takes proper account of constraints imposed by the local operating environment, provides a realistic plan for organisational change and uses high quality training material and delivery systems. This conclusion is of particular significance in view of the growing interest in promoting private sector involvement in infrastructure provision and maintenance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case study; contractor; developing country; labour; performance; private sector; regulation; small and medium-sized firms; training |
| Index terms: | road construction, global construction, income, construction technology, privatization, case study, training need, construction activity, private sector, regulation, medium-sized firm, competition, methodology, appropriate technology, construction sector, small enterprise, developing country, organizational change, client organization |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, political science, market analysis, development economics, research methods, civil engineering, educational resources, construction operations, economic analysis, data collection methods, technological development, strategic management, digital engineering, business, client relations, organization |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Governance, Sustainability, Stakeholder Management, International Construction, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Site Management, Education |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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