Akinnola, P (2021) Improving project performance on construction projects through stakeholder management-an action research inquiry. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool, UK.
Abstract
This thesis examined how the performance of construction projects can be improved through stakeholder management in a construction organization. The research is important to reduce stakeholder non-compliances with the use of the organization integrated management system (IMS), enhance key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensure construction projects are executed in compliance with an improved IMS, to the benefit of the organization, while increasing profitability. The research was undertaken using qualitative research methodology. Data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with eight experienced mid-level stakeholders that utilize the integrated management system and lead complex projects at four different research sites. The aim of the interviews was to gather insights, knowledge and understanding on the factors that impact the IMS processes and the strategies to adopt to improve project performances. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyse the findings. In three action cycles, the research revealed that mid-level stakeholder engagement under an integrated management system is highly critical and will be driven by the capital expenditure (CAPEX) on the project, the scope of the project and the complexity of the project. The research revealed that strategies to address non-compliances and fix existing IMS process gaps, include early engagement through proper stakeholder stewardship, effective communication and alignment among stakeholders, verification of stakeholders mandatory training, senior management timely review and signing of project documents and the implementation of an efficient governance and assurance system through audits to monitor project performances. The research generated actionable knowledge and added value with the development of an improved authority and responsibility matrix (ARM) to hold stakeholder accountable for their tasks, the development of a risk matrix to capture unidentified risks early, the development of a construction planning flow process to match project risks with deliverables, and the development of a financial management tracking (FMT) system to effectively track cost variances and increase profitability.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | audit; capital expenditure; communication; complexity; compliance; construction planning; construction project; cost variance; financial management; governance; key performance indicators; training; stakeholders; interview; qualitative research; thematic analysis |
| Index terms: | complex project, implementation, cost variance, construction planning, project performance, profitability, stakeholder engagement, audit, financial management, added value, construction organization, governance, key performance indicator, stakeholder management, complexity, construction project, qualitative research, methodology, capital expenditure, thematic analysis, documents, strategy, interview, compliance, action research, management system |
| Subjects: | performance measurement, management, project management theory and practice, professional development, methods and analysis, systems engineering, research design and methodology, business, data collection methods, community and social dimensions, construction planning, project delivery, participation process, research methods, health safety and environment, production management, financial analysis, organization, economic analysis, strategic project management, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Site Management, Organizational Design, Governance, Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Quality Management, Procurement, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety |
| 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