Understanding the Role of Jianli in China: Practice Perspective
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 145, Issue 3
Abstract
Originating in the West, professional construction management was introduced in China as the Jianli system. However, despite the wide adoption of professional construction management practices by international organizations in the construction industry, scant research has been conducted to examine empirically the formation of the professional’s role from a practice perspective in the context of deprofessionalization. Empirical studies on the role of Jianli in the Chinese construction industry have been inadequate. Accordingly, this study reveals the social network interactions, perceptions of Jianli, and different work values that cause Jianli practice to deviate from its defined role. The results present four aspects affecting the role of Jianli professionals as well as other professionals in the construction industry: relational and positional power, ways of communicating, qualifications, and visibility. Our findings provide empirical insights into the reasons that deprofessionalization weakens professionalism. The selected research method has created a junction of situational context, extensive societal discourse on professionalism, and empirical data.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all Jianli professionals and practitioners who generously shared their stories and experiences. The authors also wish to thank our colleague, Dr. Zhou Jingyang, for offering constructive critiques and suggestions for the paper.
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Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 145 • Issue 3 • July 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 15, 2018
Accepted: Jan 9, 2019
Published online: May 8, 2019
Published in print: Jul 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Oct 8, 2019
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