The competitive dialogue procedure: Negotiations and commitment in inter-organisational construction projects

Hoezen, Mieke (2012) The competitive dialogue procedure: Negotiations and commitment in inter-organisational construction projects. PhD thesis, University of Twente, Netherlands.

Abstract

The construction industry has a bad image. There seems a lack of quality in construction works at the time of delivery, and estimates of time and costs seem to be exceeded structurally, especially in public projects. Partially, this has to do with the increased complexity of construction projects. Therefore, procuring agencies and contractors feel the need to discuss all aspects of the project before closing a contract. Changes in pre-contractual negotiations were to decrease post-contractual renegotiations and to improve mutual commitment. With the Competitive Dialogue procedure, a public procurement method that was introduced in 2004, this need was met. Yet, the procedure is not proven effective. This dissertation addresses the question how inter-organisational negotiations and commitments are interrelated, and what the effect is of using the competitive dialogue procedure. Based on a survey, a multiple-case study and an in-depth single case study, the author shows that understanding is the most important determinant for the development of negotiations and commitments in inter-organisational projects. Investment in creation of mutual understanding in early stages of project negotiations is likely to prevent renegotiations in later stages. The competitive dialogue could have a positive influence on the creation of mutual understanding, yet the research shows how several mechanisms of the procedure are currently counterproductive in realising that. The author proposes several measures to realise a more effective use of the competitive dialogue procedure.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Thesis advisor: Dewulf, Geert and Voordijk, Johannes T
Index terms: agency, complexity, construction project, public project, commitment, survey, construction industry, determinant, estimate, dissertation, negotiation, inter-organizational project, construction work, procurement method, case study
Subjects: financial and cost management, data collection methods, risk assessment, industry analysis, systems engineering, conflict resolution, sociology, contractual arrangements, psychology, operations management, research dissemination and communication, production management, organizational theory, infrastructure engineering
Topics: Procurement, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Organizational Design, Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Cost Management
Descriptive scope: 4 PCTE

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