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Carlsson, V (2017) SME contractors on the stage for energy renovations? A dramaturgical perspective on SME contractors’ roles and interactions with house owners, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Ekström, D (2019) Integrated structural and construction engineering: a study of project team performance in Swedish bridge design, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Farahani, A (2019) A systematic approach to strategic maintenance and renovation planning in multifamily buildings, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Frödell, M (2014) Organisation of purchasing and buyer-supplier relationships in large construction companies, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: flexibility; case study; interview; participant observation; integration; project delivery; purchasing; site manager; subcontractor; supplier; organisational structure
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2399247723
- Abstract:
Large construction companies purchase 70-80 per cent of their turnover from material and service suppliers, rendering their purchasing processes and practices crucial for achieving profitability and a competitive edge. However, the organisational structure of these companies, where purchasing is conducted in both the central purchasing department and in the projects, makes purchasing a challenging issue. Despite the potential benefits and challenges, research on purchasing in construction companies remains scarce. The aim of this thesis is two-fold: (1) to explore purchasing processes and practices in large Swedish construction companies regarding organisation of purchasing and buyer-supplier relationships, and (2) to suggest ways of improving purchasing. This thesis is based on two studies. The first is a two-year case study in a large construction company where participant observations and interviews provided an understanding of purchasing mainly from the perspective of a central purchasing department. The second study is an interview study carried out in three large construction companies and among their subcontractors. The latter study provided important insights into the projects’ perspective on purchasing. This thesis shows conflicting interests between the purchasing department and the projects concerning relationships with suppliers with framework agreements. While purchasing departments have a long-term focus, projects focus on flexibility and smoothness in project delivery. These conflicting interests result in a dual interface towards suppliers. To bridge this tension, increased internal integration is proposed by forming cross-functional teams. The thesis also shows current practices for achieving cooperation in the relationships between contractor site managers and subcontractor foremen. This identified cooperation nuances the current one-sided perception of the construction industry as adversarial and short-term. Moreover, this thesis proposes a new definition of purchasing in construction, highlighting the importance of integrating strategic and operational perspectives when exploring purchasing processes and practices.
Gluch, P (2005) Building green: perspectives on environmental mangagement in construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Harryson, P (2008) Industrial bridge engineering: structural developments for more efficient bridge construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Johansson, M (2016) From BIM to VR – the design and development of BIMXplorer, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Kadefors, A (1997) Beställar-entreprenörrelationer i byggandet: Samarbete, konflikt och social påverkan (Client-contractor relationships in building projects: Co-operation, conflict and social influence), Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Löwstedt, M (2015) Strategizing in construction: Exploring practices and paradoxes, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Miedema, E (2020) Health-promotive building design: Exploring perspectives on building design for health promotion in healthcare settings, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Roupé, M (2013) Development and implementations of virtual reality for decision-making in urban planning and building design, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Sandberg, R (2021) Illusions of freedom: Practice and contradictions in the work of construction site managers, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Sezer, A A (2016) Construction performance measurement: Site managers in refurbishment projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Siebken Schultz, C (2012) Construction production failure in a structural perspective: A study of reactive and proactive problem-solving practices, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Sporrong, J (2014) Selecting architectural and engineering consultants: Municipal practices in Sweden, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Tengberg, C S (2022) A design-build contractor risk assessment framework for new technical solutions in the construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Thodelius, C (2018) Rethinking injury events: Explorations in spatial aspects and situational prevention strategies, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Troje, D (2020) Constructing social procurement: An institutional perspective on working with employment requirements, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Urup, L (2016) Integrated design-build management: studying institutional processes to understand project coordination & performance, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.