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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 A dramaturgical perspective on SME contractors’ roles and interactions with house owners, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.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Integrated structural and construction engineering: a study of project team performance in Swedish bridge design, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Farahani, A (2019) A systematic approach to strategic maintenance and renovation planning in multifamily buildings, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Frödell, M (2014) Organisation of purchasing and buyer-supplier relationships in large construction companies, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Gluch, P (2005) Building green: perspectives on environmental mangagement in construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Harryson, P (2008) Industrial bridge engineering: structural developments for more efficient bridge construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
Johansson, M (2016) From BIM to VR – the design and development of BIMXplorer, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.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social påverkan (Client-contractor relationships in building projects: Co-operation, conflict and social influence), Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Chalmers University of Technology.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: uncertainty; construction site; communication; conflicts; decision making; client; case studies
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2395199593
- Abstract:
The division of responsibility in the client-contractor relationship and the formal contractual arrangements has long been a question of considerable debate and concern, in the Swedish construction industry as well as in construction management research. Due to uncertainty and incomplete contractual documents, many negotia-tions continue between the parties during the contract period. These negotia-tions are often performed by the client's and contractor's repre-sentatives on the construction site. The aim of this thesis is to gain an increased understanding of informal aspects of the client-contractor relation-ship and of the role of the client during the contract period. The discussion is based on two case studies of the interaction between the parties during the production phase of building projects. The focus is on the individuals who participate in the decision making, and an ethnographic, interpretative approach is used. Theories of human decision making and social influence form the basis of the analysis. As there is a great need for joint problem-solving during the execution of the work, it is important to the parties that the relations between the interacting individuals are kept co-operative, and that perceptions of unfair-ness are avoided. A main finding is that the contractor has a naturally strong informal position. In part, this is due to intuitive norms of justice, according to which it is considered unfair that a seller makes a loss. Also, the contractor's organization involves many people, while the client's representative often works autonomously in close contact with the contractors. This can explain why contractors often prefer informal decision making and communication. Clients tend to improve their position by organizing the interaction so that the contractors' informal power is neutralized. Conceptions formed on the industry level are important determinants of informal power relations. This is because perceptions of fairness are social constructs, and are influenced by explanations as well as by expectations. Publicly expressed conflicts and antagonistic attitudes should, therefore, be viewed as ways of promoting interests without harming relations on the project level. An improved understanding of informal aspects of client-contractor relationships, thus, suggests novel explanations of general cultural aspects of the construction industry.
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.