Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
Purpose/objectives: This research deals with the development of a management accounting system [hereafter: MAS] tailored for decentralised construction companies using the critical success factors [hereafter: CSFs] method to support effective decision making at management level within the researched organisation and comparable organisations. In this context, the first research objective is to identify the CSFs within decentralised construction companies and thereby the managers’ need for information. Based on this, a MAS has been developed to meet this managers’ need for information. The second research objective is the exploration of possible designs of MASs developed via the CSFs identified and tailored for the needs of the different management levels. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical research comprises an abductive, qualitative, single case study approach. The need for this research has been identified through an in-depth literature review. The empirical element that contributes to closing the research gap has been divided into following parts: preparation of research, single case study (expert interviews at management level, analysis of commercial documents, as well as process/meeting observations) and result documentation, analysis and interpretation, as well as conclusions, limitations, outlook and recommendations. Findings: The findings represent a significant contribution to both knowledge as well as business practice. The literature review produced a need to bring the variables CSFs, informational needs, and the structure of operations together. A contribution to Lönngren et al’s (2010) study on success factors related to strategic partnerships in the construction industry can be identified in the fact that this study’s outcomes focus more on the operative and tactical CSFs in construction companies. Moreover, this thesis deals with numerous types of performance measurements in decentralised construction companies. This can be seen as a contribution to Yang et al’s (2010) study on performance measurements in the construction industry, as Yang et al did not take into account the organisation of the studied companies. In general, the focus of this thesis on the organisation of the studied construction company marks a contribution for numerous conducted research studies (e.g. Kärnä, 2009; Kärnä et al, 2009; Lim, 2011; Spigarelli et al, 2015). The CSFs in decentralised construction companies could be identified and clustered into four categories: customer-, construction management-, staff-, and decentralised organisationrelated. On this basis, three different MASs designs (for PM, BM, and MD level) could be developed. These MASs contain classic target-performance comparisons related to the particular CSFs that could be identified. As not all identified CSFs can be measured, in some cases, surveys or annual in-house appraisal interviews are recommended in order to estimate the achievement rate of single CSFs. In addition, a greater level of awareness could be achieved by this research and by the involvement of experts regarding a better understanding and more transparency in many areas of activity of decentralised construction companies. Limitations: As the researcher dealt with the social actors in a particular organisation only, the findings of the research are limited to this group of people. Should a generalisation of the findings be intended, further research work would be necessary. In this context, it should be mentioned that even within the studied organisation and therefore in the group of social actors that were studied, different opinions and perspectives were identified. Recommendations for further research: Future research could for instance mean a test run of the developed MAS in business practice. For this purpose, the MAS could be tested in the studied organisation or another decentralised construction company. A study in several companies at once is also possible.
Purpose/objectives: This research deals with the development of a management accounting system [hereafter: MAS] tailored for decentralised construction companies using the critical success factors [hereafter: CSFs] method to support effective decision making at management level within the researched organisation and comparable organisations. In this context, the first research objective is to identify the CSFs within decentralised construction companies and thereby the managers’ need for information. Based on this, a MAS has been developed to meet this managers’ need for information. The second research objective is the exploration of possible designs of MASs developed via the CSFs identified and tailored for the needs of the different management levels. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical research comprises an abductive, qualitative, single case study approach. The need for this research has been identified through an in-depth literature review. The empirical element that contributes to closing the research gap has been divided into following parts: preparation of research, single case study (expert interviews at management level, analysis of commercial documents, as well as process/meeting observations) and result documentation, analysis and interpretation, as well as conclusions, limitations, outlook and recommendations. Findings: The findings represent a significant contribution to both knowledge as well as business practice. The literature review produced a need to bring the variables CSFs, informational needs, and the structure of operations together. A contribution to Lönngren et al’s (2010) study on success factors related to strategic partnerships in the construction industry can be identified in the fact that this study’s outcomes focus more on the operative and tactical CSFs in construction companies. Moreover, this thesis deals with numerous types of performance measurements in decentralised construction companies. This can be seen as a contribution to Yang et al’s (2010) study on performance measurements in the construction industry, as Yang et al did not take into account the organisation of the studied companies. In general, the focus of this thesis on the organisation of the studied construction company marks a contribution for numerous conducted research studies (e.g. Kärnä, 2009; Kärnä et al, 2009; Lim, 2011; Spigarelli et al, 2015). The CSFs in decentralised construction companies could be identified and clustered into four categories: customer-, construction management-, staff-, and decentralised organisationrelated. On this basis, three different MASs designs (for PM, BM, and MD level) could be developed. These MASs contain classic target-performance comparisons related to the particular CSFs that could be identified. As not all identified CSFs can be measured, in some cases, surveys or annual in-house appraisal interviews are recommended in order to estimate the achievement rate of single CSFs. In addition, a greater level of awareness could be achieved by this research and by the involvement of experts regarding a better understanding and more transparency in many areas of activity of decentralised construction companies. Limitations: As the researcher dealt with the social actors in a particular organisation only, the findings of the research are limited to this group of people. Should a generalisation of the findings be intended, further research work would be necessary. In this context, it should be mentioned that even within the studied organisation and therefore in the group of social actors that were studied, different opinions and perspectives were identified. Recommendations for further research: Future research could for instance mean a test run of the developed MAS in business practice. For this purpose, the MAS could be tested in the studied organisation or another decentralised construction company. A study in several companies at once is also possible.
Purpose Poor cash flow management and lack of profitability have plagued the construction industry for decades. In response, the UK Government published the project bank account (PBA) payment strategy in 2012 to mitigate main contractors unfairly withholding liabilities. However, PBAs suffer from adoption challenges, such as systems fragmentation and a lack of incentives for main contractors to adopt them effectively. This study aims to investigate how to reduce systems fragmentation in construction by integrating PBA procedures with existing management workflows to increase payment automation, resulting in improved cash liquidity and better incentives for using PBAs. Design/methodology/approach A PBA blockchain decentralised application is developed, presented and critically evaluated. Blockchain is the technology used because of its permissionless, license-free, open-source and immutability properties. It is a suitable general-purpose technology layer for building and testing applications without the limitations associated with centralised technologies, such as high proprietary fees, vendor lock and intellectual property restrictions. Findings The research demonstrates how a blockchain application can integrate siloed construction workflows such as cash flow scheduling, supply chain management and payment executions, reducing the management workload for implementing PBAs in construction projects. Furthermore, the proposed application is open-source and replicable, and its user interface is available for external testing here: https://console.atra.io/app/bf26f846-7f16-4f80-90a0-c5488ab6edd3. Originality/value PBA is a suitable test case because it enforces an auditable, transparent and neutral account, which are inbuilt properties of blockchains; thus, both systems are harmonious to integrate. PBA is mandated in UK public sector construction projects; therefore, the research has a solid practical foundation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.