Davey, C L; Lowe, D J and Duff, A R (2001) Generating opportunities for SMEs to develop partnerships and improve performance. Building Research & Information, 29(1), pp. 1-11. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
This research aimed to generate opportunities for UK construction companies, particularly contractors and consultancies with 50 to 150 employees to improve relationships with clients and to increase effectiveness through the exploitation of communication procedures and technologies. The research team used an action learning approach to work with managers from construction companies and housing associations to design and deliver support mechanisms, such as industry workshops, specific to the needs of SMEs. Analysis of the results showed how, as a result of interacting with other groups within a non-adversarial environment and benefiting from the process, partnering and performance improvement came to be seen as both desirable and possible. The trust and confidence generated from working together successfully also led construction SMEs to share good practice with others from the industry, including local competitors. The authors propose that SMEs should be treated as 'leaders' and 'full partners' within the programme for UK industry improvement being championed by Sir John Egan (1998), rather than simply recipients. It is also suggested that governments provide further support to ensure participation from small and micro firms.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | action learning; action research; communication; culture change; industry improvement; non-adversarial; partnering; SMEs; UK |
| Index terms: | non-adversarial, performance improvement, effectiveness, consultancy, housing association, manager, partnering, workshop, action research, support mechanism, action learning, partnership, good practice, programme, exploitation, construction company |
| Subjects: | performance management, management, performance measurement, partnership management, project controls, organization, data collection methods, construction type, practitioner, institutional client, curriculum design |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Quality Management, Time Control, Education, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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