Dangerfield, B; Green, S and Austin, S (2010) Understanding construction competitiveness: The contribution of system dynamics. Construction Innovation, 10(4), pp. 408-420. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – Construction sector competitiveness has been a subject of interest for many years. Research too often focuses on the means of overcoming the “barriers to change” as if such barriers were static entities. There has been little attempt to understand the dynamic interrelationship between the differing factors which impinge upon construction sector competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to outline the benefits of taking a systems approach to construction competitiveness research. Design/methodology/approach – The system dynamics (SD) modelling methodology is described. This can provide practitioners with “microworlds” within which they can explore the dynamic effects of different policy decisions. The data underpinning the use of SD was provided by interviews and case study research which allowed an understanding of the context within which practitioners operate. Findings – The overriding conclusion is that the SD methodology has been shown to be capable of providing a means to assess the forces which shape the sustained competitiveness of construction firms. As such, it takes the assessment of strategic policy analysis in the construction sector onto a higher plane. The need to collect data and make retrospective assessments of competitiveness and strategic performance at the statistical level is not now the only modus operandi available. Originality/value – The paper describes a novel research methodology which points towards an alternative research agenda for construction competitiveness research.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | business policy; competitive strategy; construction industry; modelling; research work |
| Index terms: | construction industry, modelling, research methodology, competitiveness, policy analysis, case study, construction sector, competitive strategy, system dynamics, methodology, practitioner, construction firm, interview, research agenda |
| Subjects: | research methods, industry analysis, research management, market analysis, computing systems, practitioner, research design and methodology, organization, policy studies, data collection methods, economic analysis, analytical methods |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Governance, Roles and Professions |
| 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