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

Thesis Keith Gale 2013CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW OF FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTSAND APPLICABLE THEORIES TOWARDS A PERFORMANCE MODELFOR RESEARCH3.1 IntroductionConcerns with performance in terms of time, quality and cost were explored earlierin this thesis, through reference from published reports (Latham, 1994, Egan, 1998)suggesting that causation arose due to a fragmented engagement process leading topoor design solutions, defects and encouragement with innovation.Introduction of collaborative arrangements proposes use of integrated teams bytransforming relationships from a client through the supply chain. The effect of asuitable engagement process upon relationships may be significant (Forgues andKoskela, 2008) because the nature of roles and responsibilities of parties to a projectis often determined at this stage. Such artefacts are also influenced by boundaries setthrough operation of conditions of contract and control mechanisms (Koskinen,2009).Critical discussion of the engagement process between clients and suppliers providesan opportunity in this chapter to encompass professional practice and publishedliterature to allow development of a model for performance. During this critique, anattempt to uncover pre and post contract factors that affect performance outcomes ofa project is made. The periods examined correlate to the optimum period of analysisfor metric observation discovered in chapter two. The tendering period and postcontract construction phases generate the most activity for participants to aconstruction project and it is also during these phases that interaction is madebetween groups and during which economic activity is at its maximum extent.In constructing such a model, a positivistic approach is applied which reflectstechnical rationality of the industry (Schon, 1995) and engages with operationalboundaries set by contractual conditions. This is supplemented by recognition ofteam working and complex sociological interaction used by participants to theconstruction process (Patton, 2002). Set within a contextual background of publicsector procurement, the model concentrates upon two polarised components –operational boundaries and sociological interaction.49