Communication, coordination, decision-making and knowledge-sharing: a case study in construction management

Purpose This paper aims to examine four key management processes, namely, communication, coordination, decision-making and knowledge-sharing, to determine how these impact on transportation infrastructure project success. The context for this study is the construction of a major highway in the Unite...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of knowledge management 2019-11, Vol.23 (9), p.1764-1781
Main Authors: Al Nahyan, Moza Tahnoon, Sohal, Amrik, Hawas, Yaser, Fildes, Brian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Communication
Construction
Construction industry
Construction management
Coordination
Decision making
Engineering firms
Highway construction
Influence
Infrastructure
Knowledge management
Knowledge sharing
Project management
Public works
Roads & highways
Stakeholder management
Stakeholders
Success
Supply chain management
Transportation engineering
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Summary:Purpose This paper aims to examine four key management processes, namely, communication, coordination, decision-making and knowledge-sharing, to determine how these impact on transportation infrastructure project success. The context for this study is the construction of a major highway in the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach Multiple sources of data are used in this case study that include the following: examination of various documents relating to the project in question; interviews with ten key stakeholders involved with the construction of the project; observations made during the site visit and interviews conducted with four site engineers; a focus group conducted with six key stakeholders involved in the project; and finally interviews conducted with the Minister of Public Works and the Director-General of the Ministry of Public Works. Analysis was conducted using NVivo. Findings Identification and involvement of key stakeholders, particularly in the early phases of a construction project, is found to be highly critical. Managers must develop detailed understanding of stakeholders’ influence in terms of their legitimacy, power and urgency in achieving effectiveness of the management processes. Originality/value The study highlights how different stakeholders influence communication, coordination, decision-making and knowledge-sharing at different stages of the construction project. Hence, understanding stakeholder’s level of legitimacy, power and urgency across the different stages of a project is highly critical.
ISSN:1367-3270
1758-7484
DOI:10.1108/JKM-08-2018-0503