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

Thesis Keith Gale 20135.5 Case study method relevance towards professional practiceProverbs and Gameson (2008) noted that ‘application of the (case study) approachwithin the construction management research community is seemingly at a relativelylow level’ despite opportunities to uncover qualitative data and engage withprofessional practice. Explanations given for the low level use of case study methodsfor construction management (Ibid) are difficulties finding suitable organisations toengage with where free rein is given, or availability of significant volumes of data ordepth of immersion allowing statistical significance. In recognition of thesedifficulties, the case study for this research displays the following attributes:The organisation and participants chosen for this research have allowedunrestricted access to confidential data such as contract sums, tenderingprocesses, performance marking criteria, results and historical records.The organisation and participants are of mass and size to allow collection ofdata from a variety of projects for comparison.Control systems used by the organisation are available for replication due tothe engagement methods being subject to statutory regulations andtransparent governance.The organisation and participants employ in excess of 100 constructionprofessionals (engineers, quantity surveyors, designers) ensuring that data ismeasured to construction standards within a professional environment.Remenyi et al (2002) recognised seven characteristics of successful single case studyrelated towards general academic studies which have been adapted for theconstruction environment and professional practice used with this research. Theseare:5.5.1 Provision of a story that is relevant for construction and engineeringprofessions.Framework agreements are a relatively new concept for public sector procurementand a current topic included in construction media. The story starts with concernsfrom clients which develop into a possible solution for improvement (frameworkagreements). The case study investigates operation and results of an agreement107