Barrett, P and Sutrisna, M (2009) Methodological strategies to gain insights into informality and emergence in construction project case studies. Construction Management and Economics, 27(10), pp. 935-948. ISSN 1466433X
Abstract
In investigating complex situations, such as construction projects, the case study approach has been considered reliable to capture rich information for the purpose of the investigation by allowing the investigators to retain the holistic and meaningful characteristics of real-life events. Subsequent to data capture, data analysis will take place according to the intended research methodology. However, there is a potential for certain information to be hidden within the data and diluted during this data analysis phase. In order to minimize this and to reveal informal aspects and freshly emerging themes from the case study data, it is proposed that there is great value in analysing case studies on various levels, through different phases using multiple methods. Examples of the outcomes of applying multiple analyses involving different approaches, such as grounded theory methodology, rich picture diagrams and cognitive mapping, to the same set of data from multiple case studies are presented and discussed. This application of multiple analyses to case study research of construction projects provides valuable insights by revealing informal aspects and stimulating the emergence of a fresh understanding of the processes and interactions among different stakeholders. From the findings, the limits of the formal management systems were revealed. Further, the limits of tacit understanding around an evolving shared vision for a project were found to be substantial dimensions in understanding construction projects in a more holistic way.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case study; cognitive mapping; construction projects; emergence; grounded theory methodology; informality; rich picture diagrams |
| Index terms: | management system, data analysis, strategy, methodology, construction project, emergence, case study, grounded theory, research methodology, investigation, cognitive mapping, interaction, dimension |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, research design and methodology, data analysis and analytics, health monitoring assessment and metrics, management, theoretical framing, research methods, production management, cognitive psychology, behavioral psychology, systems engineering |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Organizational Design |
| 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