Stakeholder management in construction projects : a life cycle based framework

Abstract

Although stakeholder management has long been acknowledged as a means of increasing the propensity for successful delivery of construction projects, the full benefits of stakeholder management have yet to be tapped. Previous research efforts indicate lack of comprehensive stakeholder management process since the existing frameworks in construction either focussed on a particular construction stage or failed to incorporate important considerations such as the impact of procurement routes, internal stakeholder collaboration, responsibility for stakeholder management and project life cycle. This research aims to develop a comprehensive framework for stakeholder management in construction projects in order to enable the industry tap the full benefits of stakeholder management. In order to achieve this aim, previous work on stakeholder management is reviewed. The current practice of stakeholder management within the construction industry, the effects of procurement routes and contract forms on stakeholder management process, the relationship among the critical success factors for stakeholder management in construction projects are investigated using an industry survey among construction professionals practicing within the United Kingdom. Data collected is analysed using a combination of qualitative approach and appropriate statistical techniques including structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the current practice of stakeholder management in construction projects, effects of procurement routes and contract conditions on stakeholder management process, and the interrelationships among the critical success factors for stakeholder management in construction projects. Based on a combination of the findings from literature review and data analyses, a life cycle based framework for stakeholder management in construction projects is developed using Integrated Defiinition0 (IDEF0) modelling. The framework is validated by practising industry professionals and is identified as a comprehensive guide to construction industry practitioners for carrying out stakeholder management in construction projects