Comparative Analysis of Collaborative Standard Form Construction Contracts Common in the Healthcare Industry
Publication: Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction
Volume 16, Issue 2
Abstract
Construction contracts form a mutual agreement between entities that dictate specific conditions for project delivery. The following research analyzes the content of standard form contracts typical for commercial construction in the healthcare industry to assess contract alignment with industry-accepted performance indicators. The research includes a content analysis of industry-standard form contracts and highlights differences across delivery methods with a focus on the effort needed to achieve project collaboration. Distinct standard form contract templates in addition to executed contracts common to the healthcare construction industry were reviewed. Findings suggest that standard-form contracts place a higher level of importance on issues related to cost and schedule over those related to quality and collaborative effort. This study contributes to the industry by showing that collaborative contract types do not necessarily show an increase of terms associated with collaboration, effort, and quality over more traditional contract types.
Practical Applications
Content analysis can be a valuable tool for reviewing standard form contracts commonly used in the healthcare design and construction industry. By analyzing the language used in contracts, project staff can identify patterns and trends that inform better alignment with expected project outcomes. This may be achieved by specifying key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensuring that their distribution is commensurate with project goals. Additionally, content analysis may reduce the time spent creating and negotiating contract language by quantifying the keyword content of contracts. This can lead to more efficient and effective contract development processes, ultimately benefiting all parties involved in the project.
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Data Availability Statement
All data presented in this paper that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force Academy, the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the US Government.
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Published In
Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction
Volume 16 • Issue 2 • May 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 30, 2023
Accepted: Sep 20, 2023
Published online: Dec 19, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 19, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Building codes
- Business management
- Comparative studies
- Construction engineering
- Construction industry
- Construction management
- Contracts and subcontracts
- Engineering fundamentals
- Industries
- Methodology (by type)
- Occupational safety
- Organizations
- Practice and Profession
- Project delivery
- Project management
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Research methods (by type)
- Safety
- Standards and codes
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