Nitithamyong, P and Tan, Z (2007) Determinants for effective performance of external project management consultants in Malaysia. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 14(5), pp. 463-478. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - The use of external project management consulting firms (PMCs) in construction projects has not been widely accepted by practitioners in Malaysia because of several failed experiences in public projects. This study aims to investigate the important roles of PMCs, the key factors contributing to their effective performance, and the appropriate measurement criteria for assessing performance. Design/methodology/approach - A list of potential PMC success factors and performance measurement criteria was initially obtained from a literature review and verified by a panel of selected experts. Opinions from the experts regarding the important roles of PMCs were also analysed. An industry-wide survey questionnaire was then developed to collect data from industry practitioners who had recent hands-on experience working with PMCs in construction projects. Finally, the PMC success model was formulated based on the responses of the industry-wide survey. Findings - Significant roles of PMCs were determined, as well as 12 underlying PMC success factors and five important criteria for assessing PMC performance. Practical applications of the PMC success model devised from the identified success factors and measurement criteria were also highlighted. Originality/value - The findings of this study can help industry practitioners who are working or planning to work in projects implementing the PMC concept in Malaysia to gain an enhanced understanding of how to apply the concept effectively, leading to increased benefits of appointing PMCs and promoting the utilisation of the PMC concept in the Malaysian construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; consultants; factor analysis; Malaysia; performance measurement; project management |
| Index terms: | literature review, success factor, survey, public project, construction project, methodology, questionnaire, practitioner, Malaysia, performance measurement, factor analysis, construction industry, determinant, project management |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, statistical analysis, production management, Geography, project management theory and practice, infrastructure engineering, performance measurement, research methods, data analysis and analytics, health monitoring assessment and metrics, practitioner, data collection methods, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety |
| 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