Partnering in the construction industry: an empirical investigation into the critical success factors

Tools

Hamza, A., 2002. Partnering in the construction industry: an empirical investigation into the critical success factors. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

Preview

Text
10183178.pdf - Published version
Download (29MB) | Preview

Official URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88...

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with improvement in construction management practices by studying the application of partnering within the industry. The motivation of the research was the recognition in literature (e.g. Latham and Egan) demonstrating that there is a need to address the fundamental problems of the fragmented industry structure in particular for the construction process to become more cost effective and quality focused for its customers, as well as more profitable for its participants.

Partnering is one approach to conducting business that addresses the economics and technological challenges confronting today's different industries. The partnering approach focuses on making long-term commitments with mutual goals for all parties involved to achieve mutual success. It is a term used to define a relationship between a customer and supplier, not to be confused with the formal legal entity, "a partnership" and its associated mutual liabilities. Partnering refers to a long-term agreement between companies to an unusually high degree of commitment to achieve separate yet complimentary objectives.

This research sheds light on the managerial issues inherent in the construction industry and offers an improved understanding of the partnering process by introducing a framework for partnering in construction. The framework demonstrates that the use of the appropriate management skills such as effective communications, conflict resolution techniques and the development of a favorable context (e.g. mutual trust and commitment) are essential to partnering success.

As most of the previous research on the subject was based on case studies and the main aim of this research is to investigate partnering success and factors related to this success, an empirical investigation through survey research was used as the appropriate research technique. The assessment of practices against theory was carried out through fifty-nine cases based in the UK. The analysis showed that there is a relative success in the application of partnering within the construction industry. It also revealed those factors, which have a direct relation to the success of the relationship. Finally this research provides recommendations for successful application of partnering within the industry.

Item Type:

Thesis

Creators:

Hamza, A.

Date:

2002

ISBN:

9781369314540

Identifiers: