Future challenges in construction management: creating a symbiotic learning environment

The next wave of industrial development will necessarily incorporate the adoption and utilization of innovative technological processes and developments, and see the emergence of highly focussed organizations capable of exploiting transient and niche markets. This environment demands a responsive and dynamic construction industry with the diversity to cope with and initiate change, which is capable of employing a range of approaches to the procurement and delivery of construction projects. A research study was initiated in late 1996, the aim of which was to test the hypothesis that the level of innovation is higher on projects where the client actively imparts knowledge gained from the global arena to the contracted parties involved in the construction procurement process. The study examined the role of the client and the main contractor and the nature of the relationship between these two parties. Overall the study indicates that the level of innovation and the ultimate success of a project is highly dependent on four key factors: the client's recognition of the need for innovation; contractual incentives to encourage innovation; creation of symbiotic learning environment; · open communication at all levels. Rather than one party being passive in the process, the studies suggested that the two parties assumed a symbiotic relationship, where each gained from the knowledge and experience of the other. Moreover, in these instances, rather than driving innovation the principal role of the client was to create an environment conducive to innovation and learning. Given this scope and the freedom to innovate, the main contractor would capitalize on these opportunities, once again to the benefit of both parties.