Construction Communication

by Emmitt, Stephen; Gorse, Christopher A.

• ISBN13: 9781405100021
• ISBN10: 1405100028
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-07
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

The construction industry is not a homogeneous one; it is characterised by its fragmented, complex and temporary project arrangements. Communicating the design intent - from initial briefing through to the actual building on site - is vital to the success of any construction project, yet a constant challenge for all concerned.No matter how thorough the briefing, how clear the architect's drawings, or how effective the project management, problems will always arise and may lead to costly disputes if not resolved quickly and effectively. Most of the problems can be traced back to a failure to communicate clearly.This book brings together the main management and communication issues that influence the success of construction projects. The authors investigate communication issues across physical, organisational and cultural barriers and present clear guidance and practical advice.- Accessible to all participants in the construction process- Provides clear explanations of complex issues, helping to make communication more productive- Checklists and case studies offer practical guidance~

Author Biography

Christopher Gorse is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Construction: a social perspective	1	(11)
People businesses	1	(2)
The development process	3	(3)
The communicators	6	(1)
Temporary contracts and contact	7	(4)
Communication matters	11	(1)
Communication in construction	12	(8)
An overview	12	(1)
Higgin and Jessop revisited	13	(4)
Construction management research	17	(1)
Frameworks for construction communications	18	(2)
Communicating abstract ideas	20	(13)
Communication and information	20	(3)
Information flow and knowledge management	23	(4)
Language	27	(1)
Towards a common language	28	(3)
A time and a place	31	(2)
The dynamics of communication	33	(13)
The development of communication research	33	(2)
The process of communication	35	(5)
Communication models	40	(4)
Levels of communication	44	(2)
Interpersonal communication	46	(13)
Professional interaction	46	(3)
Communication, power, influence and control	49	(1)
Social influence and persuasion	49	(5)
Defensive and supportive communication	54	(2)
Making informed decisions	56	(1)
Conflict	57	(2)
Group communication	59	(13)
Group development and group norms	59	(4)
Group participation and interaction	63	(1)
Maintaining relationships	64	(3)
Group decision-making	67	(3)
Intergroup communication	70	(2)
Communication networks	72	(13)
Unstable networks	72	(4)
Communication networks and groups	76	(2)
Gatekeepers and communication nodes	78	(3)
Levels of construction networks	81	(1)
Supply chains: strengths and weaknesses	82	(3)
Organisational communication	85	(17)
Organisational culture and communication	85	(4)
Intraorganisational communication	89	(2)
Interorganisational communication	91	(2)
Configuration management	93	(1)
Outsourcing: a communication challenge	94	(2)
E-business in construction	96	(1)
Performance management	97	(1)
Innovation and change: a communication perspective	98	(2)
Encouraging collaboration between organisations	100	(2)
Building an effective communication culture	102	(15)
The construction project manager	102	(3)
Key performance indicators	105	(1)
Safety and communications	106	(4)
Communication and quality	110	(1)
Designing the project network structure	111	(2)
Controlling communications	113	(4)
Selecting appropriate communication media	117	(15)
Choice of media	117	(1)
Use of communication media in construction	118	(4)
Media and their different uses	122	(1)
Oral communication	123	(1)
Written instructions	124	(2)
Drawings	126	(1)
Models	127	(1)
Digital information and virtual details	127	(2)
Co-ordinating communication media	129	(3)
Managing boundary conditions	132	(14)
Communicating across boundaries	132	(2)
Boundary condition 1: client--designer interface	134	(5)
Designer--consultant interface	139	(1)
Designer--manufacturer interface	139	(1)
Boundary condition 2: designer--contractor interface	140	(3)
Boundary condition 3: construction manager--site operative interface	143	(1)
Contractor--manufacturer interface	144	(1)
Practical measures	144	(2)
Managing meetings	146	(19)
Meetings as an aid to effective communication	146	(6)
An appropriate location	152	(2)
Controlling the meeting	154	(2)
Recording and communicating decisions	156	(1)
Decisions made outside meetings	157	(1)
Different types of meeting	157	(4)
Making meetings dynamic	161	(4)
Conflict management	165	(15)
Conflict in work groups	165	(3)
Advantages and disadvantages of conflict	168	(2)
Managing conflict	170	(2)
Interaction, information and conflict	172	(1)
Defending resources and achieving goals	173	(1)
Managing different perspectives through conflict	174	(1)
Conflict, tension and management	175	(2)
The merits of encouraging conflict	177	(3)
Practical methodologies for identifying, monitoring and improving communication in practice	180	(17)
Why communication research?	180	(1)
Professional updating and evaluation	180	(4)
Methodological and ethical issues	184	(2)
Recording acts of communication	186	(1)
Case study: observing construction progress meetings	186	(5)
Categorising and coding	191	(1)
Bales' IPA coding system	192	(2)
Recognising weaknesses of research	194	(1)
Dissemination: a constant challenge	195	(1)
Final words	196	(1)
References	197	(12)
Index	209