Aki Pekuri, Laura Pekuri and Harri Haapasalo
The purpose of this study is to investigate project selection in the context of business management with the specific aim of understanding the role of business models in project…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate project selection in the context of business management with the specific aim of understanding the role of business models in project selection. The logic followed for making decisions and selecting projects significantly influences construction companies’ success.
Design/methodology/approach
The research objective is pursued by conducting a multiple-case study. Managers acting in key decision-making roles from eight construction companies are interviewed. A conceptual framework is developed for analysing the interview data and the prevailing project selection practices in construction.
Findings
The findings suggest that project selection is not guided by any specific business model, but that the decision-making process is dominated more by short-term factors such as need of work and profitability. Thus, estimation know-how largely determines the kind of projects companies are willing to consider, regardless of their competence to deliver them.
Research limitations/implications
The study produces a hypothesis that ignorance of business models in project selection and their general underutilisation in management have negative effects on performance of the construction industry. More consistent management practice would enable the development of business models and processes, contributing to performance and help companies to distinguish themselves from each other.
Originality/value
As opposed to previous studies that have produced bidding models that emulate the current industry practices, this research analyses the prevailing logic of project selection from a more critical perspective. In addition, the project selection practices of Finnish construction companies have not been investigated previously.
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Laura Kauppinen, Petteri Annunen and Harri Haapasalo
Industrialized construction has brought about expectations of improved productivity in the construction industry. However, the lack of a commonly accepted definition has created…
Abstract
Purpose
Industrialized construction has brought about expectations of improved productivity in the construction industry. However, the lack of a commonly accepted definition has created confusion regarding the types of development covered by the industrialized construction umbrella. These inconsistent definitions convoluted the discussion on this phenomenon. This study aims to clarify the definition of industrialized construction through a systematic literature review.
Design/methodology/approach
This systematic literature review was conducted according to PRISMA principles. Records were gathered from Scopus and Web of Science. Following the scientometric analysis, content analysis was conducted according to the template analysis approach.
Findings
The analysis of 121 articles revealed four main themes related to industrialized construction: 1) the construction concept, 2) construction methodologies, 3) systematization, rationalization and automatization and 4) societal and industrial change processes. Definitions of industrialized construction can be analyzed with seven clusters: 1) prefabrication, 2) standardization, 3) sector, 4) integration, 5) manufacturing practices, 6) technological investment and 7) none. Based on the content analysis, the proposed definition is: industrialized construction is the adoption of practices that minimize project-specific work in construction from the start of the design to the end of the building’s life cycle.
Originality/value
This study proposes a definition for industrialized construction following content analysis of broadly sampled literature. The proposed definition can provide a basis on which developments in the construction industry can be reflected.
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Laura Saukko, Kirsi Aaltonen and Harri Haapasalo
The purpose of this paper is to define the integration capability dimensions and create a model for self-assessing the integration capability in inter-organizational projects.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to define the integration capability dimensions and create a model for self-assessing the integration capability in inter-organizational projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical construct of, referred in this study as integration capability framework is elaborated following a systematic literature review. Thereafter, an integration capability self-assessment model, based on maturity thinking, is derived from the theoretical framework. The self-assessment model is further developed and tested for validity within five inter-organizational project networks in cooperation with industry practitioners, representing construction, industrial engineering, and mining sectors.
Findings
The results show that inter-organizational projects can use the developed model in self-assessing the maturity levels of various integration mechanisms, thus the state of integration capability at any point in time during inter-organizational projects.
Originality/value
This study is an attempt to identify how the integration capability dimensions can be self-assessed in inter-organizational projects, through the maturity levels of various integration mechanisms. The results offer insights for both academics and project management practitioners.
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Laura Saukko, Kirsi Aaltonen and Harri Haapasalo
The purpose of this paper is to achieve an understanding of the challenges and preconditions for inter-organizational collaborative project practices in industrial engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to achieve an understanding of the challenges and preconditions for inter-organizational collaborative project practices in industrial engineering projects. A framework for identifying the challenges and preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration is presented.
Design/methodology/approach
The adopted research method is qualitative, and empirical data were collected from the industrial engineering project sector in Finland. The literature related to industrial engineering projects and inter-organizational collaborative project management practices is summarized, informing the qualitative design of the study.
Findings
By analyzing empirical data from industrial engineering projects, the challenges for inter-organizational collaboration are identified in each industrial engineering project stage. A framework of preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration is identified, in which investors are advised to pay attention when deciding on the use of collaborative project management methods.
Practical implications
The findings of this study help practitioners deal effectively with mechanisms aimed at fostering and hindering inter-organizational collaborative practices. The identified preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration provide support for decision-making in every phase of an engineering project and can be used as guidelines throughout the process.
Originality/value
Inter-organizational collaborative project management practices have recently been attracting attention in the industrial engineering project setting. This research is an attempt to identify the underlying forces supporting and preventing inter-organizational collaboration in industrial engineering projects. This study offers a framework that can help academics and project management practitioners deal with the challenges affecting inter-organizational collaboration at each project stage and consider preconditions for inter-organizational collaboration in industrial engineering project settings.