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The contribution of project management offices to addressing complexities in principal construction contracting

Mahmoud Ershadi (School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia)
Marcus Jefferies (School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia)
Peter Rex Davis (School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia)
Mohammad Mojtahedi (School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

ISSN: 0969-9988

Article publication date: 2 March 2021

Issue publication date: 10 February 2022

742

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to identify major project management (PM) complexities in principal construction contracting; and second, to study the contribution of project management offices (PMOs) to addressing such complexities.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage research design was adopted through a structured literature review (SLR) and a qualitative survey study.

Findings

The two-stage study resulted in mapping out the contribution of 10 functional areas to 15 complexity factors that were retrieved from the literature and categorized using the TOE (technical, organizational and environmental) framework. Six outcomes including (1) facilitated processes, (2) improved decisions, (3) improved coordination, (4) enhanced alignment, (5) addressed uncertainties and (6) integrated oversight were identified that describe how PMOs can contribute to tackling complexities.

Research limitations/implications

Similar to other qualitative studies, this study has some limitations in terms of the replicability of results. Regarding the exploratory nature of this study to explain the contribution of PMO to complexity, further quantitative surveys can be conducted using a larger sample to statistically examine the significance of proposed relations between capabilities and complexity factors.

Practical implications

This study provides an understanding of the contribution of PMOs to tackling ever-increasing complexities embedded in construction contracting. The authors suggest requirements to be considered by professionals toward overcoming such complexities.

Originality/value

Although prior studies have separately investigated PMO functions and PM complexities, this study explores the link between these two spheres to discuss one important application of PMO in this context.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would acknowledge the support of the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Citation

Ershadi, M., Jefferies, M., Davis, P.R. and Mojtahedi, M. (2022), "The contribution of project management offices to addressing complexities in principal construction contracting", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 287-306. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2020-0244

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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