A theoretical framework for selection of consultants by design-build contractors

This paper suggests a theoretical framework for the selection of design consultants by design-build (DB) contractors. Grounded theory procedure was used to build the theoretical framework. Data were collected from secondary data search and in-depth interviews with seven contractors in Singapore who have extensive experience in DB projects. The framework was constructed based on economic Theory of the Firm, social psychology's Network Theory of Embeddedness, and personnel psychology's theories on selection of employees. The framework proposes four main factors that determine whether a consultant is suitable to be selected or not: 'task performance factor', 'contextual performance factor', 'relationship factor', and 'price factor'. Further criteria were developed from these four main factors. The criteria previously used by the interviewees to select consultants could be classified under the first three factors identified from the literature search. They did not identify any criteria under the 'price factor'. The contribution of this paper is that the constructed framework and the possible criteria may be used for the purpose of procuring the services of consultants for DB projects.