Understanding competitiveness in complex and dynamic environments: The case of Turkish contracting

The aim of this paper is to explore how international contracting firms maintain their competitive position. The adopted stance is positioned against the positivist and rational perspectives, which currently dominate the construction competiveness literature. In contrast to previous studies, the focus lies on the interpretations of senior executives within Turkish contractors, which have in recent years competed highly successfully in international markets. Emphasis is given to the dynamic capabilities view (DCV) and the extent to which it provides into the strategy of Turkish contractors. In contrast to other theoretical models, DCV is notable in the (rhetorical) emphasis given to dynamic environments within which firms continually re-position themselves. Static rationalist models of strategy have limited explanatory power in the context of the highly unstable markets within which Turkish contractors operate. An empirical research agenda is outlined together with a proposed set of research methods.