de Valence, G (2001) Defining an industry: What is the size and scope of the Australian building and construction industry. Construction Economics and Building, 1(1), pp. 53-65. ISSN 2204-9029
Abstract
The analysis and understanding of the conduct and performance of an industry begins with a study of its structure. However, before analysing an industry's structure it is necessary to define the industry and identify its size, scope and scale to establish its true economic contribution. This paper discusses the size and scope of the Australian building and construction industry, firstly, from a traditional industry economics approach by firm size and business characteristics using data from three construction industry surveys done over 15 years by the ABS. Secondly, data from an industry 'cluster' perspective is shown. The objective of the paper is to compare the differences found in industry size and scope in the structure-conduct-performance approach and the alternative industry cluster approach. Each model reveals different characteristics of the industry. The conclusion finds that the building and construction industry is a case where the traditional structure-conduct-performance model cannot be easily applied.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction economics; construction sector; sectoral analysis; Australia |
| Index terms: | construction industry, sectoral analysis, construction sector, construction economics, Australia, survey |
| Subjects: | financial analysis, industry analysis, Geography, economic and policy analysis, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Research Practice, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PTEA |
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