Koch, C and Urup, L (2017) Project performance: An emerging constellation of multiple institutions. In: Chan, P W and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 33rd Annual ARCOM Conference, 4-6 September 2017, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract
Project performance is often conceptualized as a few quantitative and disjuncted parameters, like the classical time, cost and quality triangle, or the balanced scorecard four dimensional fragmentation. However sociological theory is rarely mobilized to appreciate the complexity of a project process. The paper aims at conceptualizing design build projects performance through the lense of institutional work, appreciating a dynamic of multiple institutions.Project performance is in this perspective understood as an emerging temporarily stable constellation of institutions. To understand potential relationships between institutional processes and project performance, an ex-post study was conducted of two completed design-build projects.Empirically an elaborate selection process examined a number of design build project, done by a Danish contractor. Interviews was carried out with key players of the two design build projects.One project is characterised as high performant and the other as medium performing. The analysis of the projects showed that performance is an emerging qualitative construct gradually settled during the aftermath.While each project developed multiple relationships between institutions over the course of the projects, the projects were characterized by particular still lifes of constellations of institutions which we denote 'settled domination', and 'conflict and competition'.'Domination' resulted in project performance that predominantly satisfied the dominant institution. The institution of short term economic gains dominated. The project team expected and more-or-less accepted that the remaining institutions were compromised. As a result, the project didn’t fulfill the owner’s requirements for maintenance. On the other hand, the project team made satisfying profit and met the deadline for the project.'Conflict and competition' resulted in project performance characterized by fee erosion for contractor and architect. The project was unable to negotiate hand-off with zero defects or extension of the deadline. Also, the indoor climate and building materials were of poor quality resulting in dissatisfied residents.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | performance; design build; institutions; contractor |
| Index terms: | project performance, interview, competition, indoor climate, design build, institutional work, architect, building material, balanced scorecard, complexity, fragmentation, profit, project team, owner |
| Subjects: | profession, building materials, project management theory and practice, contractual arrangements, data collection methods, business, project delivery, performance measurement, economic analysis, sociology, environmental science, systems engineering, market analysis |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Procurement, Research Practice, Design Practice, Project Management, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Business Strategy, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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