Holt, G D and Edwards, D J (2012) Innovation or business survival? A preliminary, qualitative study of UK construction plant supply chains. Construction Innovation, 12(1), pp. 99-122. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - The criticality of mechanical plant to construction activity is well accepted within the literature; however, the supply chain mechanisms by which that demand is satisfied, are much less documented or understood. The purpose of this paper is to address this theoretical gap by: describing Construction Plant Supply Chain (CPSC) evolvement; identifying with present sector difficulties; discussing solutions to those difficulties; and considering the role of innovation within CPSC (historically and for the future). Design/methodology/approach - A mixed-method research, i.e. qualitative and preliminary, including literature review, case study inquiry of an established multi-purpose CPSC player, and open question survey of a limited sample of CPSC stakeholders has been employed in this study. Inductive data analysis via textual interrogation is undertaken. Findings - In reaction to market forces and business challenges, CPSC evolution demonstrated innovative change from former contractor-held plant fleets to predominantly private sector "external" supply chains. Of late, CPSC challenges have intensified, given its intrinsic relationship to a depressed UK (and global) economy, dependency on capital investment, and the need for sustained demand. Suggestions to encounter present challenges have been made and a difficult medium-term future signified. Research limitations/implications - As a preliminary study, generalisation of findings should be viewed in a limited context; however, given the dearth of research in this subject, the findings make novel contribution to the CPSC literature while signposting fertile avenues for future and more comprehensive research. Originality/value - No previous research in this specific field has been identified.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | business challenges; construction industry; innovation; plant and machinery; specialist supply chain; supply chain management |
| Index terms: | survey, literature review, capital investment, data analysis, evolution, methodology, construction activity, qualitative study, private sector, construction plant, case study, survival, construction industry |
| Subjects: | construction equipment, research methods, industry analysis, research design and methodology, data collection methods, economic analysis, environmental science, construction operations, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Site Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Plant and Equipment, Sustainability |
| 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