UK civil engineering practitioners' perceptions of contractor prequalification criteria

The issue of contractor prequalification has achieved a central focus within the mainstream of construction management research. It is recognised that an effective selection process contributes significantly to a client entering into contract with a 'good' contractor. This paper examines one aspect of a research programme performing in-depth analysis of contractor selection criteria, specifically, with respect to civil engineering (CE) works. A structured questionnaire survey conducted in the UK has accrued substantial data relating to practitioners' perceptions of prequalification criteria; and significant differences are discovered among such cognition (e.g. regarding levels of importance assigned to these criteria implicitly or otherwise). Findings show that most CE clients view contractor financial stability as being one of the most important attributes to be satisfied. The research findings offer useful benchmarks in striving to streamline current prequalification practices. The implications of the research are assessed in detail. Finally, the paper explores the possibility that any new prequalification paradigm should be viewed as a process for establishing a 'reciprocal relationship'. That is, contractors' abilities (attributes) should meet clients' expectations thereby contributing to less adversarial (client / contractor) business interaction. This is of course, perfectly in tune with the aspirations of the industry's new way of thinking and reflects the ideals of Latham and Egan (et al).