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Effects of an economic downturn on construction partnering
journal contribution
posted on 2023-09-01, 13:57 authored by Jason Challender, Peter Farrell, Fred SherrattOver the economic downturn in recent years, there has been a trend for construction clients to revert to traditional competitive procurement strategies. This is despite authoritative calls for an increase in collaborative working and partnering practices, heralded as the means to drive efficiencies and innovation. Clients may feel that the only way to assure themselves that they are not paying too much is to market-test their projects in a highly competitive environment. This study seeks to provide an insight into the effects of the recent economic downturn on collaborative working, with particular emphasis on manifestation in the practice and positioning of trust within such relationships. Eight interviews were carried out with senior industry professionals, all experienced in partnering and collaborative working practices. Individuals have responded with a quest for job security, which has in turn developed risk-averse work practices and affected the establishment of short-term collaborative relationships. Organisations have returned to traditional competitive procurement methods, seeking to reduce risk in their practices and maintain control in uncertain times. Sceptical considerations of collaboration have re-emerged; the abuses of collaborative relationships for financial benefits, employing austerity as leverage, have become contemporary legend if not fact.
History
Refereed
- Yes
Volume
169Issue number
MP4Page range
159-167Publication title
Proceedings of the ICE - Management, Procurement and LawISSN
1751-4312External DOI
Publisher
ICE PublishingFile version
- Other
Language
- eng
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Legacy posted date
2016-10-06Legacy creation date
2016-10-04Legacy Faculty/School/Department
ARCHIVED Faculty of Science & Technology (until September 2018)Usage metrics
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