Raja R.A. Issa, Svetlana Olbina and Dino Zuppa
The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors found on US construction projects that are perceived by contractors to strengthen or weaken trust between contracting…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors found on US construction projects that are perceived by contractors to strengthen or weaken trust between contracting stakeholders and to develop a framework for evaluating these relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive framework containing a number of factors (54) that could impact trust on construction projects was first developed. A survey questionnaire was then developed and administered via phone to contractors selected from the Engineering News Record top 400 US construction companies. The survey findings were then used to develop a trust model and case studies were used to validate and revise the trust model.
Findings
A trust model is developed that helps large US contractors measure and improve trust with other stakeholders on their projects.
Practical implications
Large US contractors are now provided with a tool not previously available to help them measure and improve trust between the different contracting parties on construction projects which can help them decrease project time and costs, and improve project results.
Originality/value
The proposed trust model adds a number of different dimensions to the existing trust models found in the literature and as such improves the contractor’s ability to foster and enhance trust on a US construction project.
Details
Keywords
Dino Zuppa, Svetlana Olbina and Raymond Issa
The purpose of this paper is to obtain an understanding of the perception of trust between US construction contracting parties. The research objectives were to identify the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to obtain an understanding of the perception of trust between US construction contracting parties. The research objectives were to identify the factors on construction projects that impact such trust and to identify how trust affects factors on construction project.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of construction professionals working for the Engineering News Record’s Top 400 US contractors was conducted.
Findings
The findings showed that paying on time, competency, reliability and effective collaboration were the most important factors that affected contextual conditions trustworthiness. Factors perceived to strengthen trust included face-to-face communication, electronic documents, and timely and adequate responses to requests for information. The presence of construction managers on construction projects, and corrective changes orders from neutral third parties were perceived to weaken trust. Trust was perceived to assist leadership, team building, communication and information sharing.
Originality/value
The main contribution of this study is the discovery of additional factors that impact trust and factors that require trust and that were not identified by previous researchers.