Valentah Siamuzwe-Manase, Keith R. Halcro, Bimal Kumar and Martin Skitmore
The paper analyses the strategic management strategies of UK Construction Contracting Firms (CCFs) and their impact on the industry, highlighting their fragmentation, high-risk…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper analyses the strategic management strategies of UK Construction Contracting Firms (CCFs) and their impact on the industry, highlighting their fragmentation, high-risk, low-profit nature and low profit returns. It suggests proactive strategies for sustainable growth and explores the potential of corporate diversification.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilising a thematic critical literature review, specific inclusion/exclusion criteria are used to select relevant literature together with a thematic qualitative synthesis data analysis approach to identify trends and challenges.
Findings
UK CCFs primarily use reactive and project-based strategic management, which may not align with long-term success due to market volatility, reactive supply, fragmentation, high competition and lack of differentiation. The short-term business cycle makes medium- to long-term strategy development difficult. It is recommended that CCFs adopt proactive strategic management and consider corporate diversification for enhanced competitiveness, stability and performance. Although there are conflicting findings on the impact of diversification on firm performance, this research suggests that it is a viable strategy for achieving enhanced firm performance and competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
The importance of proactive corporate strategies for CCFs is emphasised to overcome industry challenges, promote sustainable growth and enhance competitiveness. Corporate diversification, cultural transformation, management qualifications promotion and talent development collaboration are advocated, providing valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers and researchers.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this research involve fostering a shift towards proactive and dynamic strategic management in the UK construction industry, addressing the historical neglect of broader strategic perspectives and empowering practitioners and academics to drive positive change and innovation within the sector.
Social implications
The social implications of this research encompass the potential to enhance the overall efficiency, sustainability and collaborative dynamics within the UK construction industry, which can ultimately contribute to improved infrastructure development and the well-being of communities.
Originality/value
Project-driven strategic management in the UK construction industry is explored, questioning the reactive approach used by CCFs. It provides insights, best practices and improvement areas, emphasising diversification, proactive corporate strategies, cultural shifts and industry improvement, spanning theory, practice and theory.
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The various methods of examination and their shortcomings must now be considered. The number of organisms present in a sample of milk when examined depends upon:—
Hypertext documents can and do make large amounts of information readily accessible to ordinary readers, and production of such documents is understandably becoming more…
Abstract
Hypertext documents can and do make large amounts of information readily accessible to ordinary readers, and production of such documents is understandably becoming more widespread. However, good intentions on the part of authors do not automatically result in the production of cost effective and acceptable documents. Evaluation is consequently a key issue — knowledge and use of appropriate evaluative methods helps ensure hypertext documents are correctly designed and presented. The results are increased usage and efficiency, and decreased maintenance costs. Drawing on practical, academic and commercial experience, this paper addresses some of the ways in which a hypertext document may be effectively evaluated.
MOHAN KUMARASWAMY and MOHAMMED DULAIMI
The heightened state of flux in the construction industry in general and construction procurement strategies in particular, provides welcome opportunities to inject innovative…
Abstract
The heightened state of flux in the construction industry in general and construction procurement strategies in particular, provides welcome opportunities to inject innovative improvements. While some improvements are generated from within the construction industry itself, these evolve sluggishly along prolonged learning curves. These are compared with lessons to be learnt and examples to be drawn from manufacturing in the development of a marketable product. A product development focus is thus advocated in re‐integrating segregated groups and in empowering and inspiring the innovations that are needed to achieve the dramatic productivity gains now demanded from the construction industry.
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The observations in an article upon British wines which appeared in the January issue of the JOURNAL have occasioned the publication in The Wine and Spirit Trade Review of some…
Abstract
The observations in an article upon British wines which appeared in the January issue of the JOURNAL have occasioned the publication in The Wine and Spirit Trade Review of some comments endorsing views which we set forth, and also the publication in the same periodical of a letter addressed to the BRITISH FOOD JOURNAL, from Mr. G. Gordon Watt, of Messrs. Lamb & Watt, Ltd., in which he protests against certain views which he attributes to us, but which, in fact, are nowhere to be found in the article in question. The policy of this JOURNAL for the last nearly fifty years has always been to encourage and assist the producer of good and genuine products, and our duty to the public and to the honest manufacturer is to call attention to practices which we consider are not in the best interests of either. We do not underrate the position which the British wine industry has won for itself; the fact that in pre‐war years some six million gallons of these wines were produced and sold, sufficiently attests their popularity and the need which the industry meets, and undoubtedly it has played an important part during the war years in filling the gap created by the almost total exclusion of the importation of foreign wines for the British market. British wines are perfectly good and genuine products and occupy a legitimate position in the beverages of the country provided that they conform to the descriptions under which they are sold. In this connection we adhere to the opinion which we have already expressed, that where wines bear a foreign appellation, such as “Port Type,” “Sherry Type” or “British Sherry,” the purchaser is entitled to expect that the fruit of the vine is an essential part of the raw material used in the production of the wine. It has been suggested that it would be useful to both makers and consumers if some standard could be established for British wines which would prevent the sale under that description of concoctions which have none of the attributes of wine. In the event of standards ultimately being established, we are of the opinion that for the purposes of preservation it is desirable that wines of the Port and Sherry types should contain 28/29 degrees of proof spirit.
Edmond W.M. Lam, Albert P.C. Chan and Daniel W.M. Chan
Benchmarking can be an effective way of helping organizations to deliver better services through continuous improvement. The concept of benchmarking has been extensively applied…
Abstract
Benchmarking can be an effective way of helping organizations to deliver better services through continuous improvement. The concept of benchmarking has been extensively applied to the construction industry in recent years to enhance the performance of the project delivery process. Success is hard to achieve, especially for a construction project delivered by an innovative procurement method – design and build, and the identification of critical success factors can enable project team leaders to make improvements in some particular areas. This paper aims to establish a conceptual framework of critical success factors (CSFs) for design‐build projects in construction. From the framework, it is hypothesized that project success of a design‐build project is a function of the interaction among project characteristics, project procedures, project management strategies, project‐related participants, project work atmosphere and project environment. The CSFs so identified can provide practitioners and academics with a better understanding of running a design‐build project successfully to develop a benchmark for the D&B project delivery process.
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GEORGE OFORI and SWEE LEAN CHAN
Construction companies have several possible growth paths to follow in their effort to develop. Studies show that the appropriate approach depends on the features of the company…
Abstract
Construction companies have several possible growth paths to follow in their effort to develop. Studies show that the appropriate approach depends on the features of the company and the prevailing economic conditions, and support measures and incentives. This paper reports the results of a study on the paths which construction enterprises in Singapore have adopted since 1980. The main basis of the study was a mailed questionnaire survey. It was found that most local contractors have grown by working at home, either as main contractors or as specialist subcontractors. Some theoretical implications of the findings are outlined. Recommendations are offered on appropriate growth paths for Singaporean contractors under various circumstances.
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Shamas‐ur‐Rehman Toor and George Ofori
Researchers have traditionally focused on the technical and managerial features of construction projects and have tended to ignore the subject of leadership. However, recent…
Abstract
Purpose
Researchers have traditionally focused on the technical and managerial features of construction projects and have tended to ignore the subject of leadership. However, recent interest in the subject has resulted in global research initiatives that aspire to provide an understanding of leadership in a holistic manner. To further the research on the subject, it is important to review the existing body of knowledge and draft a road map for the future. For this purpose, a review of empirical works on leadership in the construction industry was carried out.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 49 studies were selected through a rigorous process. To summarize the findings, coding was done according to publication outlet, authors, nature of study, country of publication, target population, methodology, and key findings.
Findings
It was found that most of the empirical studies have focused on behavioral dimensions of leadership while paying less attention to several other important dimensions, particularly leadership development. Most studies were cross‐sectional in nature and used quantitative methods of analysis. It was also noted that these studies focused on a limited range theories presented in the mainstream.
Originality/value
The review presented here summarizes the empirical research on leadership in the construction industry. The paper details various past trends, predicts some future trends, and suggests certain areas in which future research on leadership in the construction industry could focus.
Research limitations/implications
It is suggested that leadership studies need to be improved in terms of methodological approach, level of analysis, developmental perspective of leadership, and objective measurement of leadership outcomes.
Originality/value
The paper predicts some future trends and suggests certain areas in which future research on leadership in the construction industry could focus.
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Derek H.T. Walker, Paulo Vaz Serra and Peter E.D. Love
Price reliability for complex and highly complicated infrastructure projects is problematic. Traditional project delivery approaches generally fail in achieving targeted end cost…
Abstract
Purpose
Price reliability for complex and highly complicated infrastructure projects is problematic. Traditional project delivery approaches generally fail in achieving targeted end cost reliability. However, integrated project delivery (and particularly Alliancing), develop a far more reliable and robust project delivery plan and outturn time-cost targets. This paper aims to explore why this may be the case.
Design/methodology/approach
This case study investigated the project design, planning, cost/time estimation approach and how risk/uncertainty was dealt with. Five senior project delivery experts from an organisation that delivers multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects in Australia were interviewed. These five experts collectively had 100+ cross-disciplinary experience years delivering complex infrastructure projects.
Findings
Alliancing adopts a radically different approach to project design, time/cost planning and risk assessment and management to traditional project delivery approaches. Key findings explain how the project alliance agreement designs-in processes that maximises team integration and collaboration. Analysis concludes that design thinking is used to craft and shape collaborative behaviours and project governance. Additionally, including project owner and facilities operator representatives in the project team adds valuable insights, expertise and knowledge contributing to planning reliability.
Research limitations/implications
This study is exploratory and focussed on complex infrastructure projects so findings cannot be generalised.
Practical implications
We unpack Alliancing processes that develop the target outturn cost plan, comprising a holistic and realistic plan to design a project to meet expected project outcomes. This case study may serve as an exemplar for complex project delivery.
Social implications
This paper illustrates how Alliancing more effectively delivers best value than traditional procurement approaches through its TOC-TAE processes.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the scant existing academic literature analysing these processes. Its novel contribution is explaining how Alliancing treats unexpected events that in traditional delivery forms trigger expensive and time-energy-wasting disputation. This case study may serve as an exemplar for complex project delivery.
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ANDREW R.J. DAINTY, BARBARA M. BAGILHOLE and RICHARD H. NEALE
In order to retain and motivate employees, organizations must respond to their expectations, both in terms of meeting formal aspects of their employment contracts and in…
Abstract
In order to retain and motivate employees, organizations must respond to their expectations, both in terms of meeting formal aspects of their employment contracts and in addressing their less formal expectations of the employment relationship. Within the current human resources management (HRM) literature, these informal expectations are known as psychological contracts. This paper reports on research that explored psychological contracts within the construction industry. In‐depth interviews were held with more than 80 construction managers and professional staff who worked for five large UK contracting organizations. The interviewees were asked to describe their career histories, and to discuss any tensions between the personnel policies of their organizations and their personal career aspirations and expectations. It emerged that responsibility for human resource development (HRD) had been largely devolved to divisional and operational management. This led to HRD becoming fragmented and unresponsive, and to employees becoming disillusioned by their employers' failure to meet their expectations. It is argued that construction companies require a more sophisticated understanding of their employees' expectations of the employment relationship if they are to be retained in the long term.