Pablo, Z; London, K and Wong, P (2017) Adapting novel research techniques to analyse collaboration in offsite manufacturing housing construction innovations. In: Chan, P W and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 33rd Annual ARCOM Conference, 4-6 September 2017, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract
The aims of this paper are two-fold. First, we examine collaborative practice in innovative housing construction supply chains in Australia to enrich theoretical understandings of collaboration, by using actor-network theory and causal loop diagrams to examine collaboration’s complex conditions, influencers, and outcomes. Second, we contribute methodologically by proposing a knowledge transfer approach that translates these conceptual understandings of collaboration into a framework of concrete behaviors, systems and structures.Research shows that much of the Australian housing construction sector continues to function in a traditional, craft-based manner characterized by inefficiency and a lack of professionalism. A small number of exemplary supply chains has addressed these challenges through innovative offsite manufacturing (OSM) techniques. Government and industry are thus showing increasing interest in OSM, but despite its benefits, uptake in Australia remains limited. A number of challenges to OSM have been identified, a fundamental one being the lack of collaboration across a deeply fragmented sector. Collaboration is critical in housing construction settings, given that it has been identified as a key strategy for supply chain integration and is understood to be linked to innovation. However, theoretical work on collaboration and methodologies for knowledge translation from research to practice are two research areas that are currently underexplored. In conducting this study we contribute to conceptual development on collaboration and present a knowledge transfer approach that bridges the evidence-to-practice gap. We use qualitative techniques to examine collaboration in five successful OSM supply chains. Based on data from 29 semi-structured interviews, we identify key elements of collaboration. We examine each element’s inter-relationship with other elements, as well as the links of each element to a complex set of conditions and outcomes. The rich detail of narratives combined with causal loop diagrams then allows us to translate these theoretical findings into detailed frameworks for policy and practice.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | actor-network theory; causal loop diagram; collaboration; offsite manufacturing; qualitative systems dynamics |
| Index terms: | evidence, actor-network theory, residential construction, knowledge transfer, supply chain integration, systems dynamics, strategy, Australia, interview, professionalism, collaboration, methodology, narrative, collaborative practice |
| Subjects: | collaborative management, research dissemination and communication, Geography, research methods, decision-making and optimization, supply chain integration, evaluation and assessment methods, qualitative and interpretive research, management, construction integration, theoretical framing, professional development, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Geographical Context, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Business Strategy |
| 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