De Souza, D V S (2015) A conceptual framework and best practices for designing and improving construction supply chains. PhD thesis, University of Salford, UK.
Abstract
Construction supply chains are problematic to manage. Examples of recurring problems in construction supply chains are increased levels of non-conformances, delivery delays, and disruptions in supply, among others. Theoretical developments in the field of construction supply chain management are recent. Existing approaches in the literature are focused on managing project supply chains rather than adopting a long-term perspective from the enterprise level. A significant portion of the existing supply chain methods and frameworks was deliberately adapted from other sectors without hardly considering the context. The aim of this research is to develop a conceptual framework and a set of practices to tackle the problems of construction supply chains. Based on a Design Science Research approach, an initial solution was proposed. The solution is composed of a conceptual framework and a set of best practices. In order to refine the solution, three case studies were carried out in organizations in the heavy construction sector. Next, a focus group evaluated the solution and provided inputs for developing the final version. The conceptual framework contains the key parties (Enterprise, Projects, and Suppliers), the interfaces between such parties (Interface A, Interface B, and Interface C), and the flows (Information Flow, Physical Flow, and Capital Flow) realizing the interfaces in construction supply chains. The practices comprise Supply Chain Governance, Supply Chain Flexibility and Risk Management, Performance Management,Early Supply Chain Involvement, Category Management, Supplier Development, Prequalification of Suppliers, and Supply Chain Strategic Alignment. The framework can be used as a means to locate the problems of construction supply chains in specific interfaces and flows. By precisely locating the problems, the involvement of the right parties is facilitated. The best practices can be used as references to guide design and improvement initiatives in construction supply chains.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Koskela, L |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | capital flow; case studies; construction supply chain; design science; flexibility; focus group; governance; heavy construction; prequalification; risk management; supplier; supply chain management |
| Index terms: | performance management, case study, governance, best practice, risk management, construction supply chain, capital flow, heavy construction, focus group, design science research, science, information flow, conceptual framework |
| Subjects: | construction logistics, risk assessment, data collection methods, business, performance measurement, design practice, infrastructure and transport systems, information systems, specialized education, economic analysis, theoretical framing |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Education, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Governance, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Design Practice, Digital Applications |
| 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