Accessibility navigation


Change in construction: a critical perspective

Fernie, S., Leiringer, R. and Thorpe, T. (2006) Change in construction: a critical perspective. Building Research and Information, 34 (2). pp. 91-103. ISSN 0961-3218

Full text not archived in this repository.

It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. See Guidance on citing.

To link to this item DOI: 10.1080/09613210500491639

Abstract/Summary

Change within the construction sector has been a central concern of governments and a select few private-sector clients for a considerable time. The discourse of change emanating from organizations concerned with reform in the construction sector reflects these ongoing concerns for change in the sector. The underlying assumptions of the content of change and appropriate change mechanisms in the UK are critically examined and challenged. In particular, the limitations of measurement and best practice are explored. The allegiance to approaches based on measurement and best practice is acontextual, unreflective and insufficient in providing wholly reliable explanations for the relationship between practice and performance. Claims for the use of measurement and best practice by the reform movement must therefore be understood to have limitations and their use approached with caution. The emphasis on best practice is also understood to direct attention away from understanding the legitimacy of current practice and change within the UK construction sector. An agenda for change in the UK construction sector will need to engage with and be more reflective of current managerial practice and past change initiatives. Contextual approaches such as structuration theory offer a way in which to underpin a research framework that could support the reform movement in setting such an agenda.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Science > School of the Built Environment > Construction Management and Engineering
ID Code:11985
Uncontrolled Keywords:benchmarking, best practice, change management, demonstration projects, industry performance, innovation, key performance indicators, organizational change, reform movement, MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATIONS, STRUCTURATION, PERFORMANCE, COMPETITION, INNOVATION, KNOWLEDGE, NETWORKS, PROSPECT, DECISION

University Staff: Request a correction | Centaur Editors: Update this record

Page navigation