Unveiling and Evaluating the Collaboration in Engineering Projects through a Two-Layer Information Collaboration Network Model
Publication: Journal of Management in Engineering
Volume 40, Issue 3
Abstract
Engineering projects necessitate efficient and resilient collaboration. Enhancing collaboration requires designing and optimizing information interactions. Current methodologies lack a processual and relational lens; also, they seldom emphasize the significance of information. This study focused on information collaboration (IC) in engineering projects. We devised an integrated framework with an information perspective and a network perspective. The framework comprises (1) a two-layer information collaboration network model, integrating information demands and flows; (2) network analysis across different project levels, detecting stakeholder roles in collaboration, revealing unevenly distributed collaboration configurations, and presenting overall collaboration patterns; and (3) a novel assessment method for collaboration performance considering the efficiency and resilience of IC. The framework’s practicality was validated through a large-scale international airport project. It offers strategies for enhancing collaboration via network interventions and information optimization. Findings promote the recognition of collaboration, clarify the mechanism between information demands and flows, and improve collaboration performance. It also paves the way for project resilience management.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. T2261129476 and 72072131), the National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences (Grant No. 20CGL047), and the Shanghai Pujiang Talent Program (Grant No. 2020PJC109). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any funding agencies.
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Published In
Journal of Management in Engineering
Volume 40 • Issue 3 • May 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 18, 2023
Accepted: Nov 30, 2023
Published online: Feb 28, 2024
Published in print: May 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jul 28, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Air transportation
- Airports and airfields
- Analysis (by type)
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Detection methods
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering profession
- Flow (fluid dynamics)
- Flow patterns
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Hydrologic engineering
- Information management
- Infrastructure
- Methodology (by type)
- Network analysis
- Practice and Profession
- Professional development
- Project management
- Research methods (by type)
- Social network
- Transportation engineering
- Validation
- Water and water resources
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