Hans Voordijk

Modularity in supply chains: a multiple case study in the construction industry

– The objective of this study is to assess the applicability of Fines three‐dimensional modularity concept as a tool to describe and to analyze the alignment of product, process, and supply chain architectures. Fine claims that the degree of modularity in the final output product has a one‐to‐one correspondence with the degree of modularity in transformation processes and supply chains., – An exploratory three‐company case study is used to investigate Fines three‐dimensional modularity concept., – Empirical research shows that Fines three‐dimensional modularity concept works well for descriptive purposes. However, the concept needs refinement when it is used for analytical purposes. For process modularity, the spatial aspect can be related to the concept of the territorial economy of firms, while the time aspect can be elaborated using a product life‐cycle perspective and the concept of interface reversibility. With respect to supply chain modularity, the concept of modular production networks, which specifies combinations of different degrees of geographic, organizational, cultural, and electronic proximity, is appropriate. In the specific setting of the building industry, a methodology for developing product platform architectures would refine the dimension of product modularity., – Starting from the above‐mentioned concepts, several strands of research are outlined for a further elaboration of product (developing a methodology for developing product platform architectures), process (taking a life‐cycle perspective on module development), and supply chain modularity (analyzing conditions for the application of modular networks)., – The application of systematic engineering design methods, interface reversibility, and interorganizational ICT allows firms to align product, process, and supply chain modularity.

Enterprise Resource Planning in a large construction firm: implementation analysis

In most large Dutch construction firms, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have replaced non‐integrated information systems with integrated and maintainable software. The implementation of ERP systems in such firms is a difficult task. So far, ERP implementations have yielded more failures than successes. This study tries to understand the factors that lead to the success or failure of ERP in large construction firms by focusing on the fits between the following pairs of elements in ERP implementations: business and IT strategy, maturity of the IT infrastructure and the strategic role of IT, and the implementation method and organizational change. The premise of this study is that for an ERP implementation to be successful these elements must somehow fit together. Empirical research was conducted through a case study of three ERP implementations in different business units of a Dutch‐based construction firm. Implementing different systems within one company is typical of the way large construction firms in the Netherlands have dealt with ERP. The study shows that the success of ERP implementations depends on consistent patterns between: IT strategy and business strategy, IT maturity and the strategic role of IT, and the implementation method and organizational change.

Reducing opportunistic behaviour through a project alliance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into how a project alliance contract is conducive to the development of cooperative relationships between client and contractor organizations involved in a complex project. Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal case study of a complex construction project was conducted in which the contract was changed at the end of the negotiation period from a design-build into a project alliance form. Findings – Data show that opportunistic behaviour is reduced when there is an incentive structure, as is to be found in project alliances, for client and contractor organizations to cooperatively realize the project. However, it is not sufficient for project partners to agree upon an appropriate incentive structure. For cooperative relationships to develop, they also have to put substantial efforts into reducing their remaining inclinations to make use of opportunities that arise to deviate from the alliance contract. Practical implications – It is shown that both principals and contractors not only need to carefully select staff for such projects; they also have to work with the people employed such that appropriate attitudes are reinforced and rewarded. Developing cooperative relationships in project alliances needs the surrounding working methods to offer support. Originality/value – The longitudinal character of the case study offers exceptional opportunities for studying the dynamics in preventing and overcoming the deteriorating patterns of opportunistic behaviour that organizations regularly face in many traditional and design-build projects

Market strategies and core capabilities in the building industry

The objective of this study is to show that the core competence approach has validity when applied to construction. The focus is on the analysis of the fit between market strategies of firms in the building industry and their core capabilities. Certain strategies require specific core capabilities and key external and internal conditions supporting these capabilities. The resource-based approach focuses on the conditions in a firm, the internal capabilities, and supports a core capability that is demanded. The network literature will be related to external conditions that support a core capability of a firm active in a certain market. In a multiple case study, firms are analysed that are involved in different stages of the building process. The case studies demonstrate firms with consistent patterns of market strategies, core capabilities, and supporting internal and external conditions. The specific core capability of the firm under investigation determines the types of external and internal conditions that are critical.

Co‐ordinating humanitarian operations in peace support missions

Purpose – This paper seeks to contribute to a more effective co‐ordination of humanitarian operations by military and civilian organizations involved in a peace support mission in response to a complex emergency.Design/methodology/approach – The information processing view, in particular Galbraiths typology of generic mechanisms for achieving co‐ordination, is taken as the theoretical framework. This framework is subsequently applied to the co‐ordination of humanitarian operations by military and civilian organizations. Empirical data are derived from a set of expert interviews with both military and civilian respondents in The Netherlands and a four week visit to Kabul and Baghlan, a province in northern Afghanistan. During this visit 40 military respondents have been interviewed and over 60 meetings have been held with local authorities, humanitarian organizations, small entrepreneurs, refugees and local villagers. Finally, conclusions are drawn and recommendations are provided with regard to a more ef...

Towards better customized service‐led contracts through the competitive dialogue procedure

Recently, for the procurement of complex contracts the European Commission (EC) has developed the competitive dialogue (CD) procedure, a procurement system aimed at aligning the complex demands of principals with the possible solutions of contractors. The major question is how, in the practice of procuring service‐led contracts by the CD procedure, will the dialogue conversations be affected by tension between the CD procedure’s principles of transparency and confidentiality? A single case study of a large infrastructural project procured through the CD procedure has been conducted to find an answer to this question. It is concluded that the dialogue offered by the CD procedure in the Dutch Second Coen Tunnel project helped to align the complex demands with the several available solutions without harming the confidentiality principle or stimulating cherry picking. The procedure could be improved by the provision of standardized documents and actual, adequate and improved information about the project context.

Adoption and Use of Interorganizational ICT in a Construction Project

The objective of this research is to explain why actors are not using interorganizational information and communication technology (ICT) in construction projects in the intended way, by determining the mechanisms that influence the way actors use this ICT over time during a construction project. This explorative research results in a theoretical model that contains four key categories that explains the way actors use ICT in construction projects: (1) personal motivation; (2) external motivation; (3) knowledge and skills; and (4) acting opportunities. The model is compared with three existing influential models about the adoption and use of ICT: the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, the theory of planned behavior, and the technology acceptance model. In these models missing elements are found. In addition, it is found that fundamental characteristics of construction projects, such as the fragmented and temporarily nature of construction projects, and the different working practices, resources, and objectives of the organizations involved cause most of the barriers to the intended use of interorganizational ICT.

Construction management and economics: the epistemology of a multidisciplinary design science

Research in the field of construction management and economics (CME) can be characterized as a multidisciplinary design science. Results from the sciences and humanities are necessary inputs for this field of research that deals with design, production and operation of the built environment. The output of CME research as multidisciplinary design science consists of three types of solution concepts: empirical generalizations based on statistical data analysis (technological laws), concepts that specify what to do, if a certain result is to be attained under given circumstances (functional rules), and insights in the interrelationship between design, production and operation of the built environment and social practice (socio‐technological understanding). Scientific justification of these solution concepts is obtained through testing them in the specific context of the built environment.

The effect of industry clockspeed on supply chain co‐ordination: Classical theory to sharpen an emerging concept

Purpose – The relevance of “industry clockspeed” to supply chain co-ordination (SCC) has recently been stressed but hardly been researched. Taking an information-processing perspective, the purpose of this paper is to examine the development of SCC theory under varying clockspeed circumstances. Design/methodology/approach – This exploratory research project investigated four Dutch multinational firms operating in industries with different “clockspeeds”. Findings – The main findings of this exploratory research suggest that, with increasing clockspeed, the use of inventory as a means of providing slack against uncertainty decreases, whereas the use of lateral relations increases. Remarkably, the role of outsourcing is substantial in both low- and high-clockspeed settings, but limited in the intermediate group. Opposite to this, the role of vertical information systems is limited in low- and in high-clockspeed industries, but substantial in medium-clockspeed firms. These findings are consistent with the basic theory of organisational life-cycle patterns. Research limitations/implications – More data should be collected and analysed in subsequent research, e.g. data relating to more companies, investigated over longer periods of time, paying attention to multiple dimensions such as company age and size. Organisational solutions that may deal with accelerating industry clockspeeds are platform-based product development, time and form postponement, and modular production networks. Practical implications – Supply chain managers should be wary of one-size-fits-all solutions irrespective of current industry settings or company maturity stage. Originality/value – Previous research argues that the shorter the life cycles of the products that firms sell, the more rapidly they have to invent not just new products, but new ways of organising as well. This study is a follow-up to this work with a focus on the co-ordination within a supply chain in response to varying levels of industry clockspeed, an issue hardly considered in earlier work

Construction management research at the interface of design and explanatory science

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to characterize construction management research at the interface of explanatory science and design science.Design/methodology/approach – The dual nature of construction management research is analyzed by relating this field of research to natural science, design science and its interface. Research at the interface of explanatory science and design science is characterized by identifying studies published on this interface in high quality construction management journals.Findings – Research at this interface should focus on technological rules developed through testing in practical contexts as in design science as well as grounding in the explanatory sciences. The nature of testing technological rules is highly similar to the replication logic recommended for comparative case studies.Research limitations/implications – Developing and testing technological rules combines the design science and the explanatory science mode of knowledge production in construction manage...