Sustainable Strategic Planning in Construction Companies to Gain Competitive Advantage
By
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.
DECLARATION
I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.
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ABSTRACT
In this study we try to explore the concept of strategic planning as a tool for competitive advantage for construction industry. The researcher used mixed research to conduct the study. Detailed interviews and questionnaire was used as the research instrument. The researcher addressed the following questions in the research what is strategic planning? How strategic planning can lead to competitive advantage in construction industry? And what is the role of construction industry and government in sustainability? The researcher did extensive study to conduct this study. The companies whose employees were taken as sample for this research include Balfour Beatty and Interserve (which are in the UK) and Global Upline and Hock Seng Lee (which are in Malaysia).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII
DECLARATIONIII
ABSTRACTIV
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1
Research Aim(s)1
Research questions1
Rationale1
Scope and Limitations2
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW3
Definitions of Strategy3
Rational Strategy3
Fatalistic Strategy4
Pragmatic Strategy5
Relativist Strategy5
Competitive Advantage in Construction: A Conceptual Model7
Industrial Organization Economics View of Competitive Advantage7
Resource-Based View of the Firm9
Conceptual Model for Competitive Advantage12
Implications of the Conceptual Competitive Advantage Model14
Competitive Advantage Model in the Construction Industry: Implementation15
The Construction Company and Its Relationships16
Construction Company-Client Exchange Relationships18
Reduction of Construction Waste22
Reuse through Salvage and Deconstruction23
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY27
Mixed Research27
Classification of research methods27
Multi-method studies28
Mixed method studies28
Steps in mixed methodology28
Strength and weakness of the mixed research29
Strengths29
Weaknesses30
Data Collection Method & Proposed Data Sources30
Primary Data30
Secondary Data30
Research justification31
Sample31
Data analysis31
Rationale for a Qualitative Study33
Rationale for a Quantitative Study33
Reliability/Dependability33
Validity35
Ethical Considerations36
Interaction with participants37
Anonymity37
Confidentiality38
Time plan38
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS40
Questionnaire analysis40
Interview analysis56
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION58
REFERENCES61
APPENDICES70
Questionnaire70
Interview Questionnaire81
Interview Analysis82
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Research Aim(s)
The main aims of this research is to evaluate and review the significance and importance of Strategic Planning in the construction industry of which in conjunction to the environment issues; and in addition of the discussion of several strategic options which would be able to gain competitive advantage. Furthermore, this research will also aim to encourage construction companies to develop sustainable construction through different strategic options.
Research questions
This research will address the following research question
What is strategic planning?
How strategic planning can lead to competitive advantage in construction industry?
What is the role of construction industry and government in sustainability?
Rationale
Construction is one of the most important industries in any part of the world which contributes to the development as well as the economy of a country. Construction projects are often complicated, uncertain and time-consuming undertakings (Adam 2009 320). Throughout these years, there are getting more and more people involve in the construction field and this shows that the competition in this field is getting higher. Changes in the current market, as compared to early days, has increase the complexity to manage the construction ...