Paperback
A Research Agenda for Construction Management
This impressive book challenges the orthodoxies that have dominated the construction management research (CMR) field for the past 50 years. Providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex and multi-faceted domain of construction, A Research Agenda for Construction Management sets out a range of alternative perspectives which problematise the axioms upon which much CMR knowledge is based and offers new directions for the research community to consider.
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Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
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Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary.
This impressive book challenges the orthodoxies that have dominated the construction management research (CMR) field for the past 50 years. Providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex and multi-faceted domain of construction, A Research Agenda for Construction Management sets out a range of alternative perspectives which problematise the axioms upon which much CMR knowledge is based and offers new directions for the research community to consider.
Chapters range from exploring approaches to better understand the industry and its various functions, to discussing how alternative theoretical positions might be mobilised to shed new light on complex socio-economic activity. By challenging the ways in which construction is viewed, this Research Agenda subjects dominant research approaches and paradigms to critical scrutiny, ultimately encouraging future researchers to reflect on and adopt more creative and meaningful approaches to their work.
By identifying new and emergent themes and exploring how these can be researched, this incisive Research Agenda will be of considerable interest to researchers and academics in the field of construction management research. Its thought-provoking chapters will also make this a fitting read for research-engaged construction practitioners.
This impressive book challenges the orthodoxies that have dominated the construction management research (CMR) field for the past 50 years. Providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex and multi-faceted domain of construction, A Research Agenda for Construction Management sets out a range of alternative perspectives which problematise the axioms upon which much CMR knowledge is based and offers new directions for the research community to consider.
Chapters range from exploring approaches to better understand the industry and its various functions, to discussing how alternative theoretical positions might be mobilised to shed new light on complex socio-economic activity. By challenging the ways in which construction is viewed, this Research Agenda subjects dominant research approaches and paradigms to critical scrutiny, ultimately encouraging future researchers to reflect on and adopt more creative and meaningful approaches to their work.
By identifying new and emergent themes and exploring how these can be researched, this incisive Research Agenda will be of considerable interest to researchers and academics in the field of construction management research. Its thought-provoking chapters will also make this a fitting read for research-engaged construction practitioners.
Critical Acclaim
‘Einstein asserted that “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used when we created them”. That insight encapsulates the essence of this book. The array of eminent authors address fundamental topics of research – both ‘technical’ and methodological. An essential volume for all who research Construction Management.’
– Richard Fellows, Loughborough University, UK
‘This is an important collection from some of the leading construction management thinkers working today. As a maturing but still contested field, it is now more important than ever to embrace heterogeneity of approach and plurality of theory and to question orthodoxy and replication. Every construction management researcher should not only read this, but also draw inspiration from it.’
– Chris Harty, London South Bank University, UK
‘This book critically explores why the narrow Research Agenda for construction management (CM) must change and offers several positive perspectives for doing so. Its insights move us beyond a focus on project delivery and provide a broader, fertile basis for the creating CM/ built environment knowledge. Essential reading and highly recommended.’
– Richard Lorch, Buildings & Cities
‘Anyone with an interest in construction management research needs to read this book. The editors and other experts have crafted what will become a seminal work. Whether you are beginning your research journey or are an experienced researcher – academic or practitioner – this book was written for you.’
– Brian Atkin, Lund University, Sweden
– Richard Fellows, Loughborough University, UK
‘This is an important collection from some of the leading construction management thinkers working today. As a maturing but still contested field, it is now more important than ever to embrace heterogeneity of approach and plurality of theory and to question orthodoxy and replication. Every construction management researcher should not only read this, but also draw inspiration from it.’
– Chris Harty, London South Bank University, UK
‘This book critically explores why the narrow Research Agenda for construction management (CM) must change and offers several positive perspectives for doing so. Its insights move us beyond a focus on project delivery and provide a broader, fertile basis for the creating CM/ built environment knowledge. Essential reading and highly recommended.’
– Richard Lorch, Buildings & Cities
‘Anyone with an interest in construction management research needs to read this book. The editors and other experts have crafted what will become a seminal work. Whether you are beginning your research journey or are an experienced researcher – academic or practitioner – this book was written for you.’
– Brian Atkin, Lund University, Sweden
Contributors
Contributors: Dominic D. Ahiaga-Dagbui, Mike Bresnen, Paul W. Chan, Vivien Chow, Andy Dainty, Dilek Ulutas Duman, Stuart D. Green, Stephen Gruneberg, Eyüphan Koç, Mathangi Krishnamurthy, Roine Leiringer, Ashwin Mahalingam, Igor Martek, Eunice Maytorena-Sanchez, Johan Ninan, Evangelos Pantazis, Steve Rowlinson, Dan Sage, Libby Schweber, Natalya Sergeeva, Lucio Soibelman, Graham M. Winch
Contents
Contents:
1 Construction management research: a community
at a crossroads? 1
Roine Leiringer and Andrew Dainty
2 Construction economics – it ain’t what it used to be 21
Stephen Gruneberg
3 What are we trying to achieve? Rigour, relevance
and modes of knowledge production in
construction management research 45
Mike Bresnen
4 Theory and the contribution of qualitative
research to construction management research 67
Libby Schweber and Vivien Chow
5 Understanding construction sector policy through
narrative analysis: a critical perspective 93
Stuart D. Green and Dilek Ulutas Duman
6 Beyond the boundary and scale of the
construction project 117
Paul W. Chan
7 Cognition and action in construction project organising 141
Eunice Maytorena-Sanchez, Natalya Sergeeva
and Graham M. Winch
8 Construction safety management: the case for
a new approach to research-informed change 171
Steve Rowlinson
9 A research agenda for construction management
in the 4.0 era 193
Evangelos Pantazis, Eyüphan Koç and Lucio Soibelman
10 Fast and frugal research: the pervasive use of
questionnaires in construction management research 221
Dominic D. Ahiaga-Dagbui and Igor Martek
11 Making sense of ‘new age data sets’: researching
from afar 243
Johan Ninan, Mathangi Krishnamurthy and
Ashwin Mahalingam
12 Does construction need management? The case
for alternative construction organization 265
Dan Sage
Index
1 Construction management research: a community
at a crossroads? 1
Roine Leiringer and Andrew Dainty
2 Construction economics – it ain’t what it used to be 21
Stephen Gruneberg
3 What are we trying to achieve? Rigour, relevance
and modes of knowledge production in
construction management research 45
Mike Bresnen
4 Theory and the contribution of qualitative
research to construction management research 67
Libby Schweber and Vivien Chow
5 Understanding construction sector policy through
narrative analysis: a critical perspective 93
Stuart D. Green and Dilek Ulutas Duman
6 Beyond the boundary and scale of the
construction project 117
Paul W. Chan
7 Cognition and action in construction project organising 141
Eunice Maytorena-Sanchez, Natalya Sergeeva
and Graham M. Winch
8 Construction safety management: the case for
a new approach to research-informed change 171
Steve Rowlinson
9 A research agenda for construction management
in the 4.0 era 193
Evangelos Pantazis, Eyüphan Koç and Lucio Soibelman
10 Fast and frugal research: the pervasive use of
questionnaires in construction management research 221
Dominic D. Ahiaga-Dagbui and Igor Martek
11 Making sense of ‘new age data sets’: researching
from afar 243
Johan Ninan, Mathangi Krishnamurthy and
Ashwin Mahalingam
12 Does construction need management? The case
for alternative construction organization 265
Dan Sage
Index
