Hamza, A (2002) Partnering in the construction industry: an empirical investigation into the critical success factors. PhD thesis, Nottingham Trent University, UK.
Abstract
This thesis is concerned with improvement in construction management practices by studying the application of partnering within the industry. The motivation of the research was the recognition in literature (e.g. Latham and Egan) demonstrating that there is a need to address the fundamental problems of the fragmented industry structure in particular for the construction process to become more cost effective and quality focused for its customers, as well as more profitable for its participants. Partnering is one approach to conducting business that addresses the economics and technological challenges confronting today's different industries. The partnering approach focuses on making long-teim commitments with mutual goals for all parties involved to achieve mutual success. It is a term used to define a relationship between a customer and supplier, not to be confused with the formal legal entity, a partnership and its associated mutual liabilities. Partnering refers to a long-term agreement between companies to an unusually high degree of commitment to achieve separate yet complimentary objectives. This research sheds light on the managerial issues inherent in the construction industry and offers an improved understanding of the partnering process by introducing a framework for partnering in construction. The framework demonstrates that the use of the appropriate management skills such as effective communications, conflict resolution techniques and the development of a favourable context (e.g. mutual tm st and commitment) are essential to partnering success As most of the previous research on the subject was based on case studies and the main aim of this research is to investigate partnering success and factors related to this success, an empirical investigation through survey research was used as the appropriate research technique. The assessment of practices against theory was carried out through 59 cases based in the UK. The analysis showed that there is a relative success in the application of partnering within the construction industry. It also revealed those factors, which have a direct relation to the success of the relationship. Finally this research provides recommendations for successful application of partnering within the industry.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Djebarni, R |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication; conflict resolution; motivation; partnering; partnership; questionnaire survey; skills; supplier; UK |
| Index terms: | liability, motivation, survey, commitment, questionnaire, management practice, construction process, critical success factor, Latham, case study, partnering, partnership, conflict resolution, investigation, construction industry |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, liability law, conflict resolution, industry policy reports, partnership management, building construction, management, psychology, control systems, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Site Management, Human Resources, Stakeholder Management, Governance, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Legal Issues, Project Management |
| 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