Sustainable Strategic Planning in Construction Companies to Gain Competitive Advantage

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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 ...