Exploring the Potential of SME Alliances in the Construction Sector
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 136, Issue 5
Abstract
The paper explores the adoption of information and communication technology-enabled alliance modes of operation by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector. It argues that SME alliance modes of operations promote business process innovation and allow SMEs to compete in new ways, get better reward for their work, and gain greater financial strength, which in turn, will give them the financial capability to move forward and develop their products and services. Findings from the multiple case study approach used to conduct the research are discussed, including: (1) the concept of an SME alliance and its key features; (2) business relationships management in an SME alliance; (3) SME alliance viability and sustainability; (4) the role of information and communication technologies in an alliance; and (5) technical innovation management in an alliance regime of peers. Recommendations for future research in the form of open questions to the research community are given.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Abulma’thi, A., and Rezgui, Y. (2008). “Virtual organizations in practice: A European perspective.” Proc., 14th Americas Conf. Information Systems (AMCIS 2008), Curran Associates, Inc., Toronto.
Artto, K. A. (1998). Global project business and dynamics of change, TEKES/PMA, Helsinki, Finland.
Ayas, K. (1997). Design for learning for innovation: Project management for new product development, Erasmus Univ., Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Barrett, P., and Sexton, M. (2006). “Innovation in small, project-based construction firms.” Brit. J. Manage., 17, 331–346.
Betts, M., and Wood-Harper, T. (1994). “Reengineering construction: A new management research agenda.” Constr. Manage. Econom., 12, 551–556.
Black, C., Akintoyeb, A., and Fitzgerald, E. (2000). “An analysis of success factors and benefits of partnering in construction.” Int. J. Proj. Manage., 18, 423–434.
Bonaccorsi, A., Pammolli, F., Paoli, M., and Tani, S. (1999). “Nature of innovation and technology management in system companies.” R & D Manage., 29(1), 57–69.
Bougrain, F., and Haudeville, B. (2002). “Innovation, collaboration and SMEs internal research capacities.” Res. Policy, 31(5), 735–747.
Briscoe, G., Dainty, A. R. J., and Millett, S. (2001). “Construction supply chain partnerships: Skills, knowledge and attitudinal requirements.” Eur. J. Purchasing Supply Management, 7(4), 243–255.
Camarinha-Matos, L., Afsarmanesh, H., and Ollus, M. (2005). Virtual organizations: Systems and practice, Springer, New York.
Carmel, E., and Agarwal, R. (2001). “Tactical approaches for alleviating distance in global software development.” IEEE Software, 118(2), 22–29.
Carty, G. (1995). “Construction.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 121(3), 319–328.
Chase, N. (1999). “Learning to lead a virtual team.” Quality, 38(9), 76.
Civil Engineering Research Council (CERF). (2000). “Guidelines for moving innovations into practice.” Proc., Working Draft Guidelines for the CERF Int. Symp. and Innovative Technology Trade Show 2000, CERF, Washington, D.C.
Cohen, S. G., and Bailey, D. E. (1997). “What makes teams work: Group effectiveness research from the shop floor to the executive suite.” J. Manage., 23(3), 239–290.
Constant, D., Sproull, L., and Kiesler, S. (1996). “The kindness of strangers: The usefulness of electronic weak ties for technical advice.” Org. Sci., 17(2), 119–135.
Dainty, A. R. J., Briscoe, G., and Millett, S. J. (2001). “Subcontractor perspectives on supply chain alliances.” Constr. Manage. Econom., 19(8), 841–848.
Davey, C. L., Lowe, D. J., and Duff, A. R. (2001). “Generating opportunities for SMEs to develop partnerships and improve performance.” Build. Res. Inf., 29(1), 1–11.
DeFillippi, R. J., and Arthur, M. B. (1998). “Paradox in project-based enterprise: The case of film making.” California Manage. Rev., 40(2), 1–15.
Dick, J., and Payne, D. (2005). “Regional sectoral support: A review of the construction industry, SMEs and regional innovation strategies across Europe.” Int. J. Strategic Property Management, 9, 55–63.
Egan, J. (1998). “Rethinking construction.” Dept. of the Environment, Transport and Regions, ⟨http://www.construction.detr.gov.uk/cis/rethink/⟩ (July 7, 2009).
European Commission. (1996). “Green paper on innovation.” Bulletin of the European Union, Supplement 5/95, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium.
Gann, D., and Salter, A. (2000). “Innovation in project-based, service-enhanced firms: The construction of complex products and systems.” Res. Policy, 29(7–8), 955–972.
Goranson, H. T. (1999). The agile virtual enterprise: Cases, metrics, tools, Quorum Books, Westport, Conn.
Grant, R. M. (1997). Contemporary strategic analysis: Concepts, techniques, applications, Blackwell Science, Oxford, U.K.
Halpin, D., and Woodhead, R. (1998). Construction management, 2nd Ed., Wiley, New York.
Jarvenpaa, S., and Ives, B. (1994). “The global network organization of the future: Information management opportunities and challenges.” J. Manage. Inf. Syst., 10(4), 25–57.
Jarvenpaa, S., and Leidner, D. (1999). “Communication and trust in global virtual teams.” Org. Sci., 10(6), 791–815.
Kanter, R. M. (1983). The change masters, Simon and Schuster, New York.
Kanter, R. M. (1997). The frontiers of management, Harvard Business School Press, Cambridge, Mass.
Lipnack, J., and Stamps, J. (2000). Virtual teams: People working across boundaries with technology, 2nd Ed., Wiley, New York.
Love, P., and Irani, Z. (2004). “An exploratory study of information technology evaluation and benefits management practices of SMEs in the construction industry.” Inf. Manage., 42(1), 227–242.
McDonough, E., Kahn, K., and Barczak, G. (2001). “An investigation of the use of global, virtual, and collocated new product development teams.” J. Prod. Innovation Manage., 18(2), 110–120.
Orlikowski, W. J., and Baroudi, J. J. (1991). “Studying IT in organizations: Research approaches and assumptions.” Information Systems Research, 2(1), 1–28.
Powell, A., Piccoli, G., and Ives, B. (2004). “Virtual teams: A review of current literature and directions for future research.” Data Base Adv. Inf. Syst., 35(1), 6–36.
Rezgui, Y. (2007). “Exploring virtual team-working effectiveness in the construction sector.” Interacting with Computers, 19(1), 96–112.
Rezgui, Y., Cooper, G., and Brandon, P. (1998). “Information management in a collaborative multi-actor environment.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 12(3), 136–145.
Rezgui, Y., and Zarli, A. (2006). “Paving the way to digital construction: A strategic roadmap.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 132(7), 767–776.
Sexton, M., and Barrett, P. (2003). “A literature synthesis of innovation in small construction firms: Insights, ambiguities and questions.” Constr. Manage. Econom., 21(6), 613–622.
Tatum, C. B. (1986). “Potential mechanisms for construction innovation.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 112, 178–191.
Tatum, C. B. (1989). “Organizing to increase innovation in construction firms.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 115, 602–617.
Thomas, G., and Bone, R. (2000). “Innovation at the cutting edge: The experience of three infrastructure projects.” CIRIA Funders Rep. No. FR/CP/79, CIRIA, London.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 9, 2008
Accepted: Sep 10, 2009
Published online: Sep 12, 2009
Published in print: May 2010
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.