Reichert, J (2005) Will change management master the challenge of introducing the Eurocodes to the UK? PhD thesis, University of London, University College London, UK.
Abstract
The Eurocodes are coming. A major imposed change for the construction industry, affecting the ways of working in engineering consultancies, manufacturing and on site. This paper proposes to consider whether 'change management' will master the challenge of introducing the Eurocodes to the UK. A difference in approach to developments between small and large organisations is investigated. Small organisations seem to have more problems with the implementation. Findings are based on a thorough literature review on change, 'change management' and the Eurocodes, which is sustained by feedback from practitioners in engineering consultancies. People need to deal with the change at an individual level within a supportive organisational framework. Assistance can be provided by developing and putting into practice a management strategy under consideration of the following aspects: (1) systematic and integrative planning, (2) a balanced change culture, (3) a learning organisation, (4) good interaction and collaboration, (5) stakeholder management, (6) risk management, (7) knowledge management, (8) good communication, (9) involvement and empowerment, (10) management backing combined with leadership vision, and (11) monitoring. Moreover, it is highlighted how further work is required with regards to the dissemination of information on the Eurocodes. Recommendations are made, emphasising particular points of importance, to help facilitating the transition process.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | culture; change management; collaboration; communication; feedback; knowledge management; leadership; learning; manufacturing; monitoring; risk management; stakeholder; UK |
| Index terms: | risk management, monitoring, construction industry, interaction, implementation, management strategy, practitioner, dissemination, collaboration, consultancy, knowledge management, stakeholder management, empowerment, eurocode, literature review, change management |
| Subjects: | engineering standards, participation process, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, organization, risk assessment, practitioner, control systems, behavioral psychology, industry analysis, management, professional development, knowledge translation |
| Topics: | Procurement, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Site Management, Organizational Design, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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