Determinants of International Architectural, Engineering, and Construction Firms’ Project Success in China
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 132, Issue 2
Abstract
As China becomes a member of the World Trade Organization, many international architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms are undertaking or expected to undertake projects there. This study identifies the significant factors that contribute to the successful performance of projects undertaken by international AEC firms in China. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from foreign (non-Chinese) AEC firms that have completed projects in China. Personal interviews with 27 experts were also conducted to supplement and test the survey findings. The findings reveal that the variable that affects the most number of success measures is the AEC firm’s ability to understand the client’s requirement. Achieving this brings about good project quality performance and owner satisfaction. Furthermore, firms that have superior product or service quality would also achieve better project performance. The interviewees also exhorted the importance of having core competencies as a critical success factor for projects in China. Practitioners may use the findings to help them manage their projects in China, so as to achieve higher levels of success.
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Acknowledgment
The assistance of Mohan M. Kumaraswamy, Amy H. M. Chan and Jia Hui Tiong in conducting some of the interviews is acknowledged with thanks.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 132 • Issue 2 • February 2006
Pages: 206 - 214
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 12, 2004
Accepted: Sep 6, 2005
Published online: Feb 1, 2006
Published in print: Feb 2006
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