Partnering inStatsbygg

This master's thesis is divided into three parts. The process report (part 1) along with the article Partnering in Statsbygg (part 2) presents the equivalent of a regular master s thesis. The appendixes are presented in part 3.To address the adversarial culture of the construction industry, partnering is used as a mean to create a collaborative and flexible building process where each partner achieves their business objectives. This paper identifies which partnering elements - understood as contractual elements included in order to create win-win situations for the contracting parties - a large Norwegian public client Statsbygg - has used in their partnering projects. Based on findings the article recommends which elements that should be used in future Statsbygg as well as other partnering projects. The methodological approach chosen for our investigation was based on 1) a literature study, 2) the distribution and analysis of a questionnaire, and 3) interviews with professionals having experience with partnering.The recommendations include elements such as; early involvement of design-builder, key subcontractors and consultants, value based procurement, an intentional agreement, target cost with bonus/malus incentives, open book economy, partnering charter, continuous workshops, partnering measurements, co-localization, partnering champions, external facilitators, a predetermined method of dispute resolution, and a contractual right to remove unsuitable people.The interviewees maintained partnering as an important step in the direction of changing the culture characterizing the Norwegian construction industry from an adversarial to a cooperative value based culture. Partnering is Statsbygg s way of facilitating a lean construction process where less time is wasted on disputes, and more value is added to the project

Which governs - the relationship or the contract?

According to the transaction cost economics literature, a firm’s external contractual relationships must be ‘fit for purpose’. What is a ‘fit for purpose’ contractual relationship should not be a normative decision, but an objective one, to be made with regard to achieving transaction cost efficiency, while defending the core competencies of the firm. Data from a Hong Kong case study is used to examine whether or not the client’s choice of contractual relationship is ‘fit for purpose’ and also to evaluate the impact of such a choice. The findings suggest that maintaining a relationship of high quality as a strategic policy not only reduces recourse to the contract but, also improves the quality and predictability of project performance and, is an antidote to ill-aligned contractual elements. These findings lend support to the growing trend towards relationship or relational contracting in construction

Quality Management System In Construction

This paper describes the Quality Management System (QMS) concept and its application in the construction industry. A misunderstanding among the construction players on the QMS concept has become the stumbling block for its successful implementation

The anatomy of high growth firms in Scotland

There is a growing volume of scholarly evidence from various countries which points to high growth firms (HGFs) as a key force fuelling economic growth. These businesses are typically highly dynamic enterprises which undertake very rapid growth, generating substantial levels of turnover and employment growth over relatively short periods of time (BERR, 2009; Anyadike-Danes et al, 2009; Mason et al, 2009; Henrekson and Johnannson, 2010)

The impact of procurement method on costs of procurement

Collaborative working methods offer the hope of reduced waste, lower tendering costs and improved outputs. The costs of tendering may be influenced by the introduction of different working methods. Transaction cost economics appears to offer an analytical framework for studying the costs of tendering, but it is more to do with providing explanations at the institutional/industry level, not at the level of individual projects. Surveys and interviews were carried out with small samples in UK. The data show that that while tendering costs are not necessarily higher in collaborative working arrangements, there is no correlation between costs of tendering and the way the work is organized. Practitioners perceive that the benefits of working in collaborative procurement routes far outweigh the costs. Tendering practices can be improved to avoid waste, and the suggested improvements include restricting selective tendering lists to 23 bidders, letting bidders know who they are competing with, reimbursing tendering costs for aborted projects and ensuring that timely and comprehensive information is provided to bidders

Uganda aquaculture value chains: strategic planning mission report

This report presents the findings and recommendations of a strategic planning mission to reevaluate the feasibility of WorldFish implementing a fish value chain research program in Uganda under the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish (L&F). The over-arching goal of L&F is to increase productivity of small-scale livestock and fish systems so as to increase availability and affordability of meat, milk and fish for poor consumers and, in doing so, to reduce poverty through greater participation by the poor along animal source food value chains. This will be achieved by making a small number of carefully selected animal source food value chains function better, for example by identifying and addressing key constraints and opportunities (from production to consumption), improving institutional arrangements and capacities, and supporting the establishment of enabling pro-poor policy and institutional environments