Collaborative Project Procurement in the Construction Industry: Investigating the Drivers and Barriers in Malaysia
Main Article Content
Abstract
The traditional construction procurement approach engenders adversarial attitudes and the pursuit of individual organisation’s gain has led to inefficiencies and poor project management. Previous studies suggest collaborative working in the construction supply chain may produce better outcomes. This article examines the drivers and barriers to embracing collaborative procurement practices pertinent to the construction industry in the developing world; using Malaysia as a base of the study. Drawing on an empirical survey involving construction professionals (contractors, consultants and clients), the significance of the drivers and barriers are prioritised based on mean scores. The most significant drivers are better quality outcome, better cost control, better time control, effective problem solving and increased client satisfaction. As for the barriers, resistance to change current way of working, communication problem, incompatible personalities and organisational cultures, lack of top management support, and inadequate training and guidance rank the highest. Next, Kruskal-Wallis tests were selected to compare the results given by the three groups of respondents. All the drivers are homogeneously perceived except for “long-term relationship”. Homogeneous perceptions are observed for all drivers. Results from this study are expected to benefit both construction practitioners and researchers in the exploration, planning and implementation of collaboration-based project procurement arrangements.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Akintoye, A. and Main, J. (2007). Collaborative relationships in construction: The UK contractors’ perception. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 14(6): 597–617. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980710829049
Ali, A.S., Mohd-Don, Z., Alias, A., Kamaruzzaman, S.N. and Pitt, M. (2010). The performance of construction partnering projects in Malaysia. International Journal of Physical Sciences, 5(4): 327–333.
Baiden, B.K., Price, A.D.F. and Dainty, A.R.J. (2006). The extent of team integration within construction projects. International Journal of Project Management, 24(1): 13–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2005.05.001
Beach, R., Webster, M. and Campbell, K.M. (2005). An evaluation of partnership development in the construction industry. International Journal of Project Management, 23(8): 611–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2005.04.001
Black, C., Akintoye, A. and Fitzgerald, E. (2000). An analysis of success factors and benefits of partnering in construction. International Journal of Project Management, 18(6): 423–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-7863(99)00046-0
Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Afsarmanesh, H., Galeano, N. and Molina, A. (2009). Collaborative networked organizations: Concepts and practice in manufacturing enterprises. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 57(1): 46–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2008.11.024
Caniëls, M.C.J., Chiocchio, F. and van Loon, N.P.A.A. (2019). Collaboration in project teams: The role of mastery and performance climates. International Journal of Project Management, 37(1): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2018.09.006
Cao, D., Wang, G., Li, H., Skitmore, M., Huang, T. and Zhang, W. (2015). Practices and effectiveness of building information modelling in construction projects in China. Automation in Construction, 49(Part A): 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.014
Chan, A.P.C., Chan, D.W.M., Chiang, Y.H., Tang, B.S., Chan, E.H.W. and Ho, K.S.K. (2004). Exploring critical success factors for partnering in construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 130(2): 188–198. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2004)130:2(188)
Chan, A.P.C., Chan, D.W.M. and Ho, K.S.K. (2003a). An empirical study of the benefits of construction partnering in Hong Kong. Construction Management and Economics, 21(5): 523–533. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144619032000056162
_____. (2003b). Partnering in construction: Critical study of problems for implementation. Journal of Management in Engineering, 19(3): 126–135. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0742-597X(2003)19:3(126)
Deep, S., Gajendran, T. and Jefferies, M. (2021). A systematic review of “enablers of collaboration” among the participants in construction projects. International Journal of Construction Management, 21(9): 919–931. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1596624
Eriksson, P.E., Nilsson, T. and Atkin, B. (2008). Client perceptions of barriers to partnering. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 15(6): 527–539. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980810916979
Ey, W., Zuo, J. and Han, S. (2014). Barriers and challenges of collaborative procurements: An exploratory study. International Journal of Construction Management, 14(3): 148–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2014.922725
Faris, H., Gaterell, M. and Hutchinson, D. (2022). Investigating underlying factors of collaboration for construction projects in emerging economies using exploratory factor analysis. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(3): 514–526. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1635758
Fulford, R. and Standing, C. (2014). Construction industry productivity and the potential for collaborative practice. International Journal of Project Management, 32(2): 315–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2013.05.007
Ghassemi, R. and Becerik-Gerber, B. (2011). Transitioning to integrated project delivery: Potential barriers and lessons learned. Lean Construction Journal, 2011: 32–52.
Gomes, D. and Tzortzopoulos, P. (2020). Metaphors of collaboration in construction. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 47(2): 118–131. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjce-2018-0461
Hair, J.F., Black, W.C., Babin, B.J. and Anderson, R.E. (2019). Multivariate Data Analysis. 8th Ed. Hampshire, UK: Cengage Learning.
Hosseini, A., Wondimu, P.A., Bellini, A., Tune, H., Haugseth, N., Andersen, B. and Lædre, O. (2016). Project partnering in Norwegian construction industry. Energy Procedia, 96: 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2016.09.132
Hughes, D., Williams, T. and Ren, Z. (2012). Differing perspectives on collaboration in construction. Construction Innovation, 12(3): 355–368. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714171211244613
Kalay, Y.E. (2001). Enhancing multi-disciplinary collaboration through semantically rich representation. Automation in Construction, 10(6): 741–755. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(00)00091-1
Kang, Y., Jin, Z., Hyun, C. and Park, H. (2018). Construction management functions for developing countries: Case of Cambodia. Journal of Management in Engineering, 34(3): 05018004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000609
Kim, T., Lee, D., Lim, H., Lee, U., Cho, H. and Cho, K. (2021). Exploring research trends and network characteristics in construction automation and robotics based on keyword network analysis. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 20(4): 442–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2020.1798774
Klakegg, O.J., Pollack, J. and Crawford, L. (2021). Preparing for successful collaborative contracts. Sustainability, 13(1): 289. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010289
Koolwijk, J.S.J., van Oel, C.J., Wamelink, J.W.F. and Vrijhoef, R. (2018). Collaboration and integration in project-based supply chains in the construction industry. Journal of Management in Engineering, 34(3): 04018001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000592
Kumaraswamy, M.M., Rahman, M.M., Ling, F.Y. and Phng, S.T. (2005). Reconstructing cultures for relational contracting. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 131(10): 1065–1075. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2005)131:10(1065)
Kwofie, T.E., Aigbavboa, C.O. and Matsane, Z.S.S. (2018). Dimensions of social barriers to effective collaborative working in construction supply chain. International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 10(1): 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPOM.2018.090382
Ledger, A. (2003). An agenda for collaborative working arrangements: The role of partnering and alliancing in the UK. Dispute Resolution Journal, 58(2): 36–45
Li, H., Cheng, E.W.L., Love, P.E.D. and Irani, Z. (2001). Co-operative benchmarking: A tool for partnering excellence in construction. International Journal of Project Management, 19(3): 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-7863(99)00033-2
Ling, F.Y.Y., Ong, S.Y., Ke, Y., Wang, S. and Zou, P. (2014). Drivers and barriers to adopting relational contracting practices in public projects: Comparative study of Beijing and Sydney. International Journal of Project Management, 32(2): 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2013.04.008
Lu, S. and Yan, H. (2007). An empirical study on incentives of strategic partnering in China: Views from construction companies. International Journal of Project Management, 25(3): 241–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.08.004
Memon, S.A., Rowlinson, S., Sunindijo, R.Y. and Zahoor, H. (2021). Collaborative behavior in relational contracting projects in Hong Kong: A contractor’s perspective. Sustainability, 13(10): 5375. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105375
Mohd Nawi, M.N., Baluch, N. and Bahauddin, A.Y. (2014). Impact of fragmentation issue in construction industry: An overview. MATEC Web of Conferences, 15(2014): 01009. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/20141501009
Ng, S.T., Rose, T.M., Mak, M. and Chen, S.E. (2002). Problematic issues associated with project partnering: The contractor perspective. International Journal of Project Management, 20(6): 437–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-7863(01)00025-4
Olanrewaju, A., Tan, S.Y. and Kwan, L.F. (2017). Roles of communication on performance of the construction sector. Procedia Engineering, 196: 763–770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.08.005
Olsson, U. and Espling, U. (2004). Part I. A framework of partnering for infrastructure maintenance. Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, 10(4): 234–247. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552510410564855
Pollack, J., Helm, J. and Adler, D. (2018). What is the iron triangle, and how has it changed? International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 11(2): 527–547. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-09-2017-0107
Rahman, M.M. and Kumaraswamy, M.M. (2008). Relational contracting and teambuilding: Assessing potential contractual and noncontractual incentives. Journal of Management in Engineering, 24(1): 48–63. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0742-597X(2008)24:1(48)
Rahman, S.H.A., Endut, I.R., Faisol, N. and Paydar, S. (2014). The importance of collaboration in construction industry from contractors’ perspectives. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 129: 414–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.695
Schöttle, A., Haghsheno, S. and Gehbauer, F. (2014). Defining cooperation and collaboration in the context of lean construction. In Proceedings: 22nd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction. Oslo, Norway: Curran Associates, Inc., 1269–1280.
Shehu, Z., Endut, I.R., Akintoye, A. and Holt, G.D. (2014). Cost overrun in the Malaysian construction industry projects: A deeper insight. International Journal of Project Management, 32(8): 1471–1480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.04.004
Soosay, C.A. and Hyland, P. (2015). A decade of supply chain collaboration and directions for future research. Supply Chain Management, 20(6): 613–630. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-06-2015-0217
Suprapto, M., Bakker, H.L.M., Mooi, H.G. and Moree, W. (2015). Sorting out the essence of owner-contractor collaboration in capital project delivery. International Journal of Project Management, 33(3): 664–683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.05.001
Tabish, S.Z.S. and Jha, K.N. (2015). Success factors for safety performance in public construction projects. Indian Concrete Journal, 89(2): 58–72.
Tey, K.H., Aminah, M.Y., Syuhaida, I. and Lee, F.W. (2012). A conceptual study of key barriers in construction project coordination. Journal of Organizational Management Studies, 2012: 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5171/2012.795679
Xue, H., Zhang, S., Su, Y., Wu, Z. and Yang, R.J. (2018). Effect of stakeholder collaborative management on off-site construction cost performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 184: 490–502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.258
Xue, X., Shen, Q. and Ren, Z. (2010). Critical review of collaborative working in construction projects: Business environment and human behaviors. Journal of Management in Engineering, 26(4): 196–208. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000025
Yap, J.B.H., Abdul-Rahman, H. and Chen, W. (2017). Collaborative model: Managing design changes with reusable project experiences through project learning and effective communication. International Journal of Project Management, 35(7): 1253–1271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.04.010
Yap, J.B.H. and Chow, I.N. (2020). Investigating the managerial “nuts and bolts” for the construction industry. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 10(3): 331–348. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-10-2019-0094
Yap, J.B.H., Goay, P.L., Woon, Y.B. and Skitmore, M. (2021). Revisiting critical delay factors for construction: Analysing projects in Malaysia. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 60(1): 1717–1729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2020.11.021
Yap, J.B.H., Leong, W.J. and Skitmore, M. (2020). Capitalising teamwork for enhancing project delivery and management in construction: Empirical study in Malaysia. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(7): 1479–1503. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-10-2019-0581
Zhang, N., Hwang, B.G., Deng, X. and Tay, F. (2020). Collaborative contracting in the Singapore construction industry: Current status, major barriers and best solutions. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(10): 3115–3133. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-08-2019-0451
Zuo, J., Chan, A.P.C., Zhao, Z.Y., Zillante, G. and Xia, B. (2013). Supporting and impeding factors for partnering in construction: A China study. Facilities, 31(11–12): 468–488. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-05-2012-0038