Ponton, H; Osborne, A; Greenwood, D and Thompson, N (2019) Exploring the designer-constructor teamwork interface to improve collaboration: A review of current literature. In: Gorse, C and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 35th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2019, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
The construction industry has been criticised over several decades for functioning and producing output with low levels of productivity when compared to other manufacturing-based industries. One possible solution to improve productivity is the adoption of collaborative working practices by project teams, particularly designers and constructors during the design phase. Arguments in support of the need to manage the design process effectively during a construction project are well documented. Issues such as providing the client with a sustainable, affordable, quality design, that adds value to their business needs, requires attention. Managing the interpersonal interface between designers and constructors during the design phase is a vital requirement of design management practice. Design management is a discipline that requires a thorough understanding of the nature and culture of the different professionals to improve the social behaviours and performance of teams, which in turn may improve project outcomes and thus industrial productivity. This paper presents the current position of the design management literature focused on the interpersonal behaviour between designers and constructors. Following a strategically-focused review of the extant literature, current themes relevant to teamwork behaviour, specific to the designer-constructor interface, are presented. The findings of the study confirm the presence of literature that explores teamwork behaviour between designers and constructors and that survey methods dominate data collection in this area. Few studies capturing the power of space and place by observing 'live' industry practice, particularly from a longitudinal perspective, have been published. Recommendations include the identification of research themes worthy of future exploration that may assist teamwork performance in relation to productivity. An increase in the use of alternative methodological approaches such as ethnographic and action research is also justified and discussed.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | behaviour; collaboration; design management; performance; teamwork |
| Index terms: | design process, teamwork, action research, low level, productivity, working practice, designer, survey, project outcome, exploration, design management, social behaviour, construction project, collaboration, design phase, presence, construction industry, project team |
| Subjects: | project delivery, professional practice, environmental science, environmental resource management, design methods, project completion, data collection methods, profession, behavioral psychology, industry analysis, measurement and scaling, design process, production management, management |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Design Practice, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Project Management, Research Practice, 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