Construction Stakeholder Management

Citation

Waheed, Z. (2012), "Construction Stakeholder Management", Facilities, Vol. 30 No. 1/2, pp. 96-96. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771211194293

Many interests are affected during the course of planning, design and construction of a facility. The representatives of these interests are the construction project's stakeholders. These may be individuals or groups that represent a stake in the project's outcomes: whether it be the success of the project itself or the impact on the environment within which it is located. Literature categorises stakeholders into two broad categories: external (those affected by the project) and internal stakeholders (those involved in project execution). Needless to say that the effective management of both types is extremely important for the success of a construction project as the stakeholders' attributes of power, legitimacy or urgency allow them a certain level of influence within the project, which needs to be handled appropriately. This new book “Construction Stakeholder Management” handles the subject of construction stakeholders sensitively and comprehensively. This is a compilation of research authored by leading researchers in facilities, construction innovation, and stakeholder management and construction practitioners with vast experience in industry. The book, therefore, has the ability to appeal to both practitioners and academics.

Construction Stakeholder Management is structured into 21 chapters, many of which use case studies to highlight best practice regarding stakeholder management. Topics range from the basic (defining the concepts around stakeholders, the history of the stakeholder perspective in organisations and construction practice) to the complex (such as stakeholder mapping, strategic management of stakeholders, and contracts and negotiations). Issues such as leadership, communication and decision‐making within the context of stakeholder management are also discussed at length.

Chapter 18 stood out from the rest as it presented a novel concept i.e. that of recognising that the natural environment is a distinct stakeholder in itself. The gains from and costs of construction on the natural environment and a fair distribution of these through taxation and subsidies are discussed. Chapter 19 is on change management and how stakeholders must be supported throughout the process. I found the chapter especially pertinent for FMs as the nature of FM entails that it deals with multiple internal and external stakeholders while supporting organisational change.

Construction Stakeholder Management is a comprehensive collection of ideas and research on the subject. It brings together a large body of knowledge and best practice in one of the most important aspects of construction project management. The case studies are extremely relevant and all the chapters are thorough in their assessment of the chosen aspects of Stakeholder Management. The collection is a definite thumbs up!