Contribution of unique features of mass housing projects to project team communication performance
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Date
2015-11-29
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Abstract
Several studies exploring delivery success on mass housing projects continue to cite
communication ineffectiveness inherent in the unique attributes of mass housing as a major
problem plaguing the delivery efforts. However, these notable studies fail to empirically establish
the nature and extent to which the observed communication ineffectiveness are attributed to the
unique features displayed by mass housing projects. In the light of mass housing approach being
adopted as a veritable delivery strategy among developed and developing countries coupled with
the significant role effective communication plays in project performance and success, the need to
engender effective communication in mass housing delivery has engaged the attention of
stakeholders in recent times. In the light of this recognition, emerging literature still continues to
bemoan the lack of collaborative team effectiveness and delivery failures that are as a result of
ineffective communication particularly on projects of unique particularities and characteristics
such as Mass housing projects (MHPs). Against this background, there is a common assertion
that, the knowledge and clear understanding of the extent and nature of communication
ineffectiveness inherent in the unique features of mass housing projects will be a vital resource
that can stimulate the effective planning of MHPs. Additionally, this understanding will thus be
useful in the adoption of procurement strategies, decision making, communication management,
skill development and contract design necessary to influence the needed communication
performance among the project participants and stakeholders on MHPs. With the paucity in
earlier studies and knowledge gap identified, this study has been undertaken to empirically
determine the contribution of the unique features of MHPs to communication ineffectiveness
among the project team in its delivery. By adopting the attribution theory of communication
performance supported by the ‘Hofstede’s cultural framework’ on communication in project
teams, external and internal factors were identified as the two main ‘causal locus’ attribution of
communication performance outcome among the project team. This led to the development and
adoption of appropriate theoretical concepts and framework which draw on the attribution theory,
communication performance model and the unique features of MHPs. This subsequently
established the conceptual evaluative measurement model for the study. By focusing on the
external factors herein being the unique features of MHPs, a quantitative research methodology
was employed in investigating the primal contribution of the unique features of MHPs to the
project team communication effectiveness. Through the use of Structural Equation Modeling
(SEM) as the analytical approach to assessing communication ineffectiveness, the results revealed
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Multiple Construction Sites Management Style, Multiple Geographical Location for Various
Schemes and Network of Procurement Systems as the unique features that significantly contribute
to information flow communication ineffectiveness. Likewise, the Multiple Construction Sites
Management Style, Housing Unit Design Contract Packaging, Network of Procurement Systems
and Repetitive Tasks Management Delivery Strategy features were found to significantly induce
information composition related communication ineffectiveness. From the results, it revealed that
the unique attributes of MHPs induces about 70.4% of the variance in information composition
communication ineffectiveness. In respect of information flow communication ineffectiveness, a
variance of about 57% was due to the influence of the unique characteristics of MHPs. These
findings have empirically affirmed that, the causal influence of the unique attributes of MHPs to
communication ineffectiveness cannot be ignored or underestimated in MHP delivery. It further
informs the need for project teams and stakeholders on mass housing to deviate from ‘all-fit all’
approach and develop bespoke approach to engender communication effectiveness on MHPs. It
also provides insights into the mass housing unique features related communication
ineffectiveness among the project team thus providing crucial knowledge necessary towards
adapting suitable communication planning, management strategies, concepts & approaches,
methods and media, that fit the mass housing project environment to engender managerial and
communication efficiencies in mass housing delivery.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Building Technology, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Management, 2015
Keywords
Mass housing project, Communication ineffectiveness, Unique project features