Nijhof, A; Graafland, J and de Kuijer, O (2009) Exploration of an agenda for transparency in the construction industry. Construction Innovation, 9(3), pp. 250-267. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – In enhancing the market operation of the building sector, transparency is of great importance. The purpose of this paper is to propose an inventory of aspects of the relationships between public clients and executing parties that have the most urgent need for greater transparency. Design/methodology/approach – The main methods used include a literature study and 20 interviews with managers of various organisations in the Dutch construction industry. Findings – Based on this study, four essential points for transparency are determined: openness about risks and costs, measuring of quality-price ratios, reasons for award or rejection and enhancement of the reputation mechanism. Research limitations/implications – This paper takes the Dutch context as a reference point for the analysis. When the findings are used also in other settings, it is necessary to address the differences in characteristics of the building sector. Practical implications – The essential points for transparency addressed in this paper have consequences for especially the interaction between public clients and executing parties. Furthermore, conditions for transparency – like possibilities to judge quality in a more robust and transparent manner and methods for enhancing the reputation mechanism – point at necessary future research for improving transparency in the construction industry. Originality/value – The Dutch construction industry is working through a transition process focused on improving its market operation, integral processes and societal added value. In this transition, transparency between clients and executing parties is of great importance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; quality costs; risk management; the Netherlands |
| Index terms: | transparency, interaction, construction industry, public client, risk management, inventory, added value, exploration, methodology, Netherlands, interview, manager |
| Subjects: | behavioral psychology, industry analysis, sociology, professional development, inventory management, Geography, research methods, economic analysis, environmental resource management, practitioner, risk assessment, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Information Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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