Nicolini, D (2002) In search of 'project chemistry'. Construction Management and Economics, 20(2), pp. 167-177. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The paper aims to provide a language and a conceptual toolkit to deepen our understanding of the impact of relational and social issues on the success of construction projects. Building on several streams of literature, as well as on individual and group interviews with construction practitioners, the paper develops the notion of 'project chemistry' as a way of capturing some of the relational and behavioural dimensions and factors that may affect project success and effectiveness in construction. The paper introduces a provisional theoretical framework that (a) identifies a number of external and project level determinants of 'project chemistry', (b) suggests ways of measuring how and how well people interact, perceive, and work together in a project, and (c) relates these issues to broader economic and technical factors. The paper concludes with some reflections on the implications and challenges for future research and management practices raised by the notion of 'project chemistry'.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | behavioural aspects; human resource management; project management; project success factors |
| Index terms: | project success, project management, determinant, dimension, effectiveness, reflection, construction practitioner, human resource management, interview, toolkit, management practice, construction project, stream |
| Subjects: | software systems, performance management, management, professional development, project management theory and practice, water management, production management, health monitoring assessment and metrics, data collection methods, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Human Resources, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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