Hindle, R D and Muller, M H (1997) The role of education as an agent of change: a two-fold effect. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(1), pp. 56-69. ISSN 1358-9180
Abstract
Several aspects of change to the procedures in the construction delivery process have been described in recent times, particularly those affecting building procurement systems. This paper describes the results of an investigation into one of the underlying causes of such change, particularly that which is affecting the traditional roles of the various parties that participate in the construction procurement process. It is proposed that one of the 'agents' of change is the product of tertiary education programmes that have been producing 'professional builders'. It describes how a new generation of builders, equipped with business skills and an inherent dissatisfaction with the traditional structure and procedures of the industry, are allowing leading construction companies to develop innovative construction marketing strategies and systems. These systems are based upon sound business practice, offer improved customer satisfaction and allow them to get closer to customers. In so doing they are taking over the roles of various built environment consultants who were principal agents and leaders in the traditional building procurement system. In parallel with the development of the professional builder, a decline in the numbers and calibre of craftsmen entering the industry has occurred. It is suggested that a 'cause-effect relationship may exist between these two phenomena.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | career, change, competitive advantage, education, procurement |
| Index terms: | agent, construction marketing, customer satisfaction, programme, builder, investigation, competitive advantage, craft worker, traditional building procurement, career, strategy, building procurement, built environment, construction company, tertiary, professional builder, construction procurement |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, profession, business, infrastructure and transport systems, practitioner, data collection methods, market analysis, professional development, service delivery, curriculum development, project controls, organization, management |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Procurement, Education, Urban Studies, Time Control, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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