The management of construction stakeholders by higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United Kingdom (UK): A pilot study

Organisations liaise with internal and external stakeholders, i.e. other organisations and individuals. The inter-links between stakeholders can be very complex as engagement is often done with different departments at different hierarchical levels. Stakeholders have different levels of power and interests, and given their diversity, it is likely that inter-organisational liaisons could experience conflicting stakes. Against this background research was carried out to investigate how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), as a distinct segment, manage their internal and external stakeholders. HEIs are a subset of learning institutions in the UK and have significant property portfolios. They also procure construction projects continuously and thus engage with both internal and external stakeholders. Having established key issues from a literature review, data were collected by a questionnaire survey sent to Estates / Facilities Managers employed by HEIs in the UK. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics to identify the challenges and salient features of stakeholder management in the HEI subsector. The findings indicate how HEIs liaise with their internal and external stakeholders, and that they communicate more frequently with the later group. Openness, honesty and free-flow of information in a timely manner are desired by stakeholders. Challenges are encountered in stakeholder engagements but these do not always transform into disputes. The research demonstrates the importance of understanding and accommodating the inputs of both internal and external stakeholders to the building procurement process. The outcome of the research will benefit stakeholders, and clients in particular, involved in delivering construction projects in the HEI sector.