posted on 2011-03-14, 14:04authored byUdityasinh Gohil, Patricia Carrillo, Kirti RuikarKirti Ruikar, Chimay J. Anumba
This paper seeks to propose a conceptual framework to promote value-enhanced
collaborative working (VECW) for a small management advisory firm. The research methodology was qualitative. It involved a
comprehensive review of literature leading to a better understanding of collaborative working
requirements in a small firm context and the barriers to derive value from collaborative working.
Initially, exploratory observations helped to identify issues of collaborative working in the case study
organisation. Following the exploratory observations, a detailed case study was undertaken. The
emphasis was on semi-structured interviews under a guiding questionnaire along with field
observations to produce a conceptual framework for VECW. The research enables an understanding of the apparent failure of a particular small and
medium-sized enterprise (SME) management advisory firm (case study organisation) to derive value
from its collaborative working model. The study identifies major issues that affect the long-term
relationships of the organisation with their collaborating stakeholders and recognises the common
understanding required by the stakeholders working in collaboration. Further, in order to solve these
issues, the research develops a conceptual VECW framework within the current context. The major
components of the conceptual VECW framework consist of process, people and tools factors to give a
structured approach to agree common goals, share risks and rewards, provide faster and clearer
communications and information transparency between collaborating stakeholders. Owing to the nature of the study (case study), current paper
is based on the findings of a single SME management advisory firm. Hence, further research for
organisations of similar size and providing similar services would be required to investigate the
robustness of the approach. Most studies on collaboration are concentrated on either larger organisations or
product organisations. Here, the attempt is to understand the collaboration among small firms
providing professional services. The research paper is an important milestone on an ongoing research
to produce a detailed framework eventually to be presented to the industry for evaluation to ensure its
contribution to the industry as well as increasing the knowledge on the subject.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Citation
GOHIL U. ... et al, 2011. Value enhanced collaborative working: case study of a small management advisory firm. Construction Innovation: Information, Process, Management, 11 (1), pp. 43-60.