Shahruddin, S and Siti Hamidah, H (2024) Navigating paradoxes of identity and leadership in the age of digital transformation of construction industry: Architects' experiences and perceptions. Construction Management and Economics, 42(7), pp. 591-609. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The ability of architects to adapt to diverse identities and effectively manage the paradoxical challenges posed by digital transformation is critical to their role as innovative leaders in the dynamic digital construction landscape. However, existing research has yet to fully explore the complex experiences of paradoxical leadership and identity adaptation among architects in this context. Addressing this gap, the study aims to explore the types of conflicting identities and paradoxical leadership behaviour experienced by architects in response to the paradoxical challenges inherent to this phenomenon. Employing an interpretive phenomenological approach, the study engaged ten individuals practicing in architectural consultancy practices (ACPs) settings in Malaysia for in-depth, semi-structured interviews and a written account exercise to uncover their experiences. Thematic structural analysis yielded five key themes: “designer and technologist,” “technical-oriented and social-oriented individuals,” “collaborator and independent thinker,” “expert and lifelong learner,” and “reductionist and holistic thinking.” This comprehensive research strategy offers a more in-depth understanding of architects' experiences and provides novel insights for enhancing leadership and identity development. Additionally, the newly developed paradoxical leadership and identity-based framework can serve as a platform for practitioners to nurture future-ready architects, upskill and reskill the existing workforce, and potentially reduce the industry’s reliance on foreign talent.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | digital transformation; paradoxical leadership; performance identity; architectural practice; phenomenology |
| Index terms: | interview, structural analysis, strategy, practitioner, consultancy, paradox, Malaysia, platform, exercise, digital construction, adaptation, designer, transformation, architectural practice, architect, identity, construction industry, phenomenology |
| Subjects: | structural engineering, management, digital design, Geography, methods and analysis, sociology, information systems, industry analysis, organization, user focus, business, profession, data collection methods, health behaviours and lifestyles, practitioner, social theory and frameworks |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, 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