PhD Final Thesis April 2013.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

Thesis Keith Gale 2013CHAPTER 5: THE CASE STUDY CONTEXT5.1 Use of a case study method for this researchThe research methodology explored in Chapter four included a number of methods toaccess, control and manipulate data in order to explore relationships betweenorganisational groups and performance outcomes for individual projects and thosecontained within framework agreements. All data sources are set within a single butholistic case study. Although the nucleus of this case study is centred upon a singleorganisation and collects data and information from an employer/client perspective,the whole study adopts a holistic approach which encompasses engagement outsidethe organisation through different suppliers and external groups. At the core is asingle public sector local authority for whom delivery of construction projects formsimprovements to highways as part of its statutory obligations, with multiple privatesector suppliers (often known as contractors) engaged to manage and constructindividual schemes. The holistic case study approach allows a partial immersion intorelationships between groups and individuals in the construction management anddelivery process at a far greater depth than by individual collection of specific datathrough questionnaires, interviews or project outcomes. In addition, data sources canbe merged to provide an engagement of views from different groups such asengineering and surveying professionals allowing perspective and context to becaptured. Use of a single case study for holistic immersion combined with criticalappraisal methods is an established technique for disciplines where evidence basedpractice is prevalent (Crombie, 1996). This is particularly relevant for examination ofconstruction management and professional practice, where interaction frequentlyoccurs between organisational groups such as supervisors and suppliers.5.2 Difficulties and restrictions with use of a case study methodThe scientific community has differing views concerning use of case study methods.Campbell (1966) argued that scientific research should be based upon quantitativemethodologies only, where examination of phenomenon is supported throughempirical datasets and therefore case studies did not fulfill strict analyticalprocedures. Campbell did however modify his views at a later date (Campbell, 1975)102