Sparkling, A E (2018) Collaborative project delivery practices, goal alignment, and performance in architecture, engineering, and construction project teams. PhD thesis, Michigan State University, USA.
Abstract
The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is increasingly challenged with improving the efficacy of project team performance through collaborative working arrangements. Collaborative working arrangements such as integrated project delivery, design-build, and project partnering are all comprised of interorganizational project teams. These teams, according to relational governance theory, generally function with flexibility, solidarity, mutual respect, and openly share information. Recent research shows that collaborative and cohesive teams are perpetuated by strategies to facilitate team integration methods. Efficient knowledge sharing and processing systems, also called transactive memory systems (TMS), are integral to cohesive project teams and their tasks coordination. Although the AEC literature is widespread on the importance of team integration and cohesion, little emphasis is placed on the effects of goal alignment practices and its relationship to performance outcomes. Thus, this research aims to explore this relationship along with the moderating effects of TMS in the context of partnered-projects by investigating interorganizational AEC project teams. Some goal alignment characteristics of partnered-projects are generally in the form of partnering workshops, establishing clear goals and objectives, and the early involvement of key stakeholders (e.g., owner, designer, contractor, subcontracts). The link between partnering practices and project success dominates AEC literature, yet the elements of partnering practice should be examined separately. This research asserts collaborative project delivery practices affect goal alignment and performance in AEC project teams. Furthermore, this research points out how behavioral attributes (i.e. , transactive memory systems) of partnered-project teams are important to successful project delivery on AEC projects. To achieve the aim of this study, data were collected from six case study projects and 125 participants using web-based surveys. Project information was accessed via partnering documents collected from key project stakeholders. A mixed methods approach was followed where 1) Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and case study tactics including pattern-matching and cross-case synthesis; and, 2) Quantitative data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and multivariate regression analysis. The theoretical contribution resulting from this research help explain the variation in interorganizational project team performance by examining key behavioral attributes emanating from organizational theory. Researchers have alluded to cognitive behaviors and social norms as potential moderators between performance outcomes and collaborative project delivery approaches. This study takes a step further positing clear metrics to understand goal alignment and team dynamics via transactive memory systems. It espouses a relational governance theory as explanatory for the unique dynamics underpinning team integration. Findings show maintaining goal alignment becomes problematic as the number of performance measures increases or when competing messages are sent. This is exacerbated when performance measures such disincentives are codified in contracts without subsequent incentive or rewards. Other results show transactive memory systems has a positive effect on individual performance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Mollaoglu, S |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | coordination; flexibility; project team; organizational theory; governance; integration; partnering; project delivery; project success; designer; owner; project stakeholder; stakeholders; content analysis; factor analysis; regression analysis; case study |
| Index terms: | integration, variation, project stakeholder, documents, strategy, integrated project delivery, content analysis, performance measure, cohesion, confirmatory factor analysis, social norms, knowledge sharing, survey, subcontract, organizational theory, coordination, regression analysis, project team, project delivery, dynamics, factor analysis, team dynamics, collaborative project, owner, designer, partnering, governance, interorganizational, construction project team, workshop, mixed method, performance outcome, case study, project success |
| Subjects: | project delivery, data analysis and analytics, value management, business, data collection methods, profession, systems engineering, statistical analysis, sociology, organizational analysis, partnership management, professional development, project management theory and practice, contractual condition, management, performance measurement, contractual arrangements, knowledge management, contract type, construction type, social justice, structural engineering |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Ethics, Procurement, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Contract Administration, Organizational Design, Construction Technology, Governance, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Information Management, 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