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

Thesis Keith Gale 2013select lists. Initiatives suggested by government reports, particularly those of Latham(1994) and Egan (1998), follow the examples explored by manufacturing industries.The proposition theorises that if numbers of suppliers are restricted, then closerrelationships may be forged between parties and resultant increases in performanceoutcomes may be achieved. There is not however universal acceptance of theseprinciples. Some practitioners argue that reduced numbers of suppliers can createdcomplacency with economic tendering and may stifle innovation. Morgan (2009)warns of a restriction on competition, inability to engage with new entrants and thedoubtful improvements in performance of projects under a framework procurementmethod. Financial competition will be examined as part of performance outcomeswith this research project.1.12 Value from this researchThis research will investigate drivers of performance within projects using datacollected from a specific area of the construction industry – namely, civil engineeringinfrastructure projects. Focus upon a narrow range of project characteristics willenable detailed analysis to be undertaken for specific areas of performance such asproject timescales, health and safety and quality of final product. In addition, theeffectiveness of tender prices will be examined to determine if concerns frompractitioners are realised. The examination will be made upon a case study wherevariables are reduced through controlled design parameters, design teams andconstruction management techniques. This opportunity is available because allprojects included within the case study (pre and post framework) are to the samedesign standards, procured through the same design and supervision teams wheremanagement controls are applied consistently throughout one large organisation. Theorganisation is of sufficient size and has existed for a considerable duration to enablecomparable data sets to follow a ‘compare and contrast’ process. Projects procuredover a two year period using traditional local authority select list method (2006 –2008) will be compared with those undertaken within a framework (2008 – 2010). Incontrast to key performance indicators prepared by Constructing Excellence thevalue of this research is achieved through defined performance outcomes applied todetailed project outcomes of financial and contractual data collection for quantitativeanalysis. All key project data outcomes are supported by operation of the conditions27