Exploring pathways for improving the supply chain integration of infrastructure projects

Supply chain integration (SCI) has been proposed as one mechanism through which customer, main contractor and suppliers' interests may be aligned in construction. This study aims at depicting how SCI can be improved in construction. Specifically, the study explores the practices underpinning SCI, the pathways that focus integration efforts and the expected outcomes from SCI, positioning SCI as a key enabler towards value realisation in construction supply chains (SCs). Achieving integration is particularly challenging for a construction SC, characterised by non-repetitive projects. In the light of this challenge, several studies suggest specific practices and pathways for the achievement of higher levels of integration in construction. A comprehensive framework creating a synthesis of the different practices and pathways towards improving SCI in the construction sector has yet to be developed and validated. The lack of a systematic view in the application of SCI in construction has impeded the diffusion of a value-driven approach in construction projects and delayed the transition to an integrated SC. The study explores the effects of four integration pathways (actors, flows, processes and technologies) to identify the pathways of actors and flows as value-driving to improved SCI in construction. These pathways are supplemented by practices focused primarily on improving the relational integration between SC actors. In addition, the study identifies the role of the pathway of integrating processes and activities in various construction projects towards a set of outcomes realising value in construction projects. This thesis adopts a two-phase research design. Phase 1 applies a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method towards synthesis in a conceptual framework for improving SCI in construction. Phase 2 applies a Delphi method towards building a systematic empirical investigation of the conceptual framework using qualitative and quantitative enquiry. This choice of methodology is suitable both for theory conceptualisation in a nascent stage, as is the case for this study, and theory building and testing. The Delphi method leads to a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon investigated and its practical adoption in industry. The study extends current knowledge by developing a conceptual framework for improving SCI in construction. Knowledge from the quantitative Delphi investigation reveals the relationships between practices, pathways and the resultant outcomes. The novelty of this study is in demonstrating SCI as key enabler to value realisation. Several avenues for future research emerge from these contributions.