| 1. |
- Bosch-Sijtsema, Petra, 1971, et al.
(author)
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Plays nice with others? Multiple ecosystems, various roles and divergent engagement models
- 2015
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In: Technology Analysis and Strategic Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0953-7325 .- 1465-3990. ; 27:8, s. 960-974
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In strategic management, the term meta-organisation is discussed as a network of firms and individuals in which members coexist, collaborate and evolve through a set of relationships and together form a larger organism.We focus on the meta-organisation form of an ecosystem in the IT industry, which often is based around a technical architecture or platform. Studies often discuss one network and selected members in such a network, but few mention that firms can work in multiple ecosystems and need to apply divergent engagement models. We study how firms engage in multiple ecosystems through three qualitative case studies. The article contributes with the following: (1) firms often operate in multiple ecosystems for which they need to dynamically adapt their engagement strategy. (2) Firms are striving to balance between strategic divergences: power versus symbiosis and a collaborative approach versus a competitive approach.
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| 2. |
- Bosch-Sijtsema, Petra, 1971, et al.
(author)
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User Involvement throughout the Innovation Process in High-Tech Industries
- 2015
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In: Journal of Product Innovation Management. - : Wiley. - 0737-6782 .- 1540-5885. ; 32:5, s. 793-807
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The feedback and input of users have been an important part of product innovation in recent years. User input has been studied from different approaches and is applied through different methods in particular phases of the innovation process. However, these methods are not integrated into the whole innovation process and are used only in particular phases or on an ad hoc basis. New developments in technology, social media, and new ways of working closer with customers have opened up new possibilities for firms to gain user input throughout the whole innovation process. However, the impact that these new developments in technology offer for user input innovation in high-tech firms is unclear. Therefore, we study how high-tech firms collect and apply user feedback throughout the whole innovation process. The paper is based on a comparative case study of eight cases in the high-tech industry, in which qualitative data collection was applied. The key contribution of the paper is a conceptual framework on user data-driven innovation throughout the innovation cycle. This framework gives insight into user involvement types and approaches to collect and apply user feedback throughout the innovation process.
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| 3. |
- Lagerkvist, Johan, 1983, et al.
(author)
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Climate impact estimation – from feasibility study to handover
- 2021
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In: IABSE Congress, Ghent 2021: Structural Engineering for Future Societal Needs. - Zurich, Switzerland : International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE). ; , s. 622-628
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Responsible for 1/5 of the total CO2-equivalents emissions and 50% of the materials resources used globally, the construction industry plays a vital role for a sustainable future. All parties in the construction industry address the challenge from their perspective and national transport administrations are often considered as the driver toward a fossil free industry. In this study, three Swedish infrastructure projects are studied by means of interviews, focusing on the usage and acceptance of the recently implemented climate estimation process. From the interviews, it is found that currently there is a lack of knowledge regarding climate estimations among bridge and environmental specialists as well as project managers. To address this challenge, it is important to educate the industry and increase the knowledge about climate estimations and declarations as well as inform which actions have the largest impact to reduce the CO2-equivalents emissions.
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| 4. |
- Lagerkvist, Johan, 1983, et al.
(author)
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Important parameters for increased productivity in bridge design and production
- 2022
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In: IABSE Congress Nanjing 2022 - Bridges and Structures: Connection, Integration and Harmonisation, Report. ; , s. 80-88
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is great potential for increased productivity in the production of bridges in terms of optimizing material use, time and cost for design and production. Hence, the environmental impact and cost can be optimized. To find out how standardisation of parts of bridges and which parameters are of most importance for increased productivity in the production of bridges, a quantitate study was performed on the Swedish bridge construction industry. The questionnaire received 151 responses. The results show in which aspects and parameters the industry’s three major actors – engineers, contractors, and clients – see greatest potential in order to increase the productivity. By standardising parts in bridges, there is great potential in making the construction of bridges more productive.
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| 5. |
- af Hällström, Anna, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Collaboration and relationships in Nordic Infrastructure project networks
- 2020
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In: ARCOM 2020 - Association of Researchers in Construction Management, 36th Annual Conference 2020 - Proceedings. ; , s. 245-254
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Since the turn of the millennium, project planners have tried reducing the adversity commonly seen in infrastructure construction projects by employing collaborative project management models, such as alliancing, early contractor involvement, or partnering. In the public sphere these models are utilised with the hope that public funds would be used efficiently to meet the needs of society through well-executed projects. One of the major drivers for these expectations is the practice inherent in the models of early-stage collaboration between all involved actors, e.g. client, design consultant, and contractor, which opens up the opportunity to focus more on intangible metrics, such as life-cycle perspectives, sustainability and societal good: factors that have recently become more significant through societal demands. In the Nordic countries, several different models are currently being applied in practice. Employing a project network perspective, we look at two infrastructure projects, employing collaborative project management models in the Nordic countries and study the expectations on collaboration models as well as the actual collaboration between the different actors in these project models. The empirical evidence, consisting of 41 semi-structured interviews, points to a discrepancy in the application of collaborative project management models as well as changing actor roles in the project network. There seem to be clear benefits realised through employing such models, such as time savings and resource use reduction, but as the benefits depend on the changing roles, it is uncertain if the projects will realise these. Results indicate a collective interest to produce a common good in all involved actors, i.e. a wellfunctioning, qualitative infrastructure project, while simultaneously highlighting the discrepancy between expectations and actions.
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| 6. |
- af Hällström, Anna, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Collaborative governance models towards sustainable infrastructure projects: the case of resources
- 2020
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In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. - : IOP Publishing. - 1755-1307 .- 1755-1315. ; 588:5
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The construction and infrastructure industry contribute to almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions and is one of the largest drivers of resource use. This sector of the global economy is thus a promising area to look at for reducing environmental impact and increase sustainability. The impact of collaboration and cooperation within the project organisation has begun to garner more attention as the scale and scope, as well as the levels of uncertainty and complexity in construction and infrastructure projects have grown. This has led to an increase in collaborative contracting models applied to complex construction projects. In order to investigate the impact of collaborative contracting and the possibilities to advance the goal of resource efficiency and decrease environmental impact, a case study of two Nordic projects, utilising a collaborative project management model, is conducted. The findings suggest that the potential of using collaborative project management models in order to increase the sustainability of construction solutions is high. However, the use and understanding of the models vary between project actors. We conclude that the new collaborative project management models are important features in reducing environmental impact from infrastructure construction, yet several organisational and practical issues remain to be solved.
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| 7. |
- af Hällström, Anna, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Creating collaboration: The use of collaborative space in large-scale infrastructure development
- 2021
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In: Proceedings of the 37th Annual ARCOM Conference, ARCOM 2021. ; , s. 502-511
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Collaborative project delivery models (CPDMs) have been introduced in the construction sector in order to renew and improve the productivity, quality and performance of the field. The procurement phase of utilising CPDM is well researched, but less is known about their implementation. The importance of a shared project space for collaboration and especially knowledge sharing is discussed often in literature, but there is less focus on the relevance of space for forming a collaborative network. A relevant question is the role of collaborative project space in large-scale infrastructure projects, a context where CPDM recently has gained popularity. This area is especially topical with the rise of distance work related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the idea of a collaborative project space is based mainly on working in the same physical space. The research applies a project network lens and focuses on collaborative space consisting of physical, social and virtual space to study the implications of shared project space for network and tie formation in large-scale infrastructure projects. In order to investigate this matter, we studied a project utilising a CPDM and a collaborative space ("big room"). We found that participation and engagement in a shared space impacts network formation and collaboration between actors. Collaborative space in the form of physical, social and virtual spaces, facilitates a shared understanding and informal social ties and thus shapes the project network. The paper gives insight into the relevance of shared space to CPDM and project network literature. However, when one of these spaces becomes unavailable as in the case of COVID-19, this has implications for the project network and the development of social ties.
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| 8. |
- af Hällström, Anna, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Early Contractor Involvement in the construction industry - a preliminary literature review
- 2019
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In: Association of Researchers in Construction Management, ARCOM 2019 - Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference. - 9780995546349 ; , s. 314-323
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) concept focuses on increasing efficiency in the construction process by involving the contractor in the design phase and has increased in popularity in recent years. The concept is not new, and the main body of literature applies a relatively unified understanding of the concept. There are, however, differences in the literature on how ECI is applied due to contextual differences. The goal of this paper is to provide a preliminary schematic analysis of current ECI literature and examine the current ECI research. ECI is placed in the wider umbrella framework of relationship contracting, together with alliancing and partnering. The similarities and differences will be briefly touched upon. The literature review is based on a database query in Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 4 648 articles were identified initially, focusing on key words of ‘early contractor involvement’ or ‘ECI’. The search was further refined by adding the key-words ‘construction’ an ‘building’, forming a core list of 332 articles. Further refining by comparing abstracts and key-words, as well as the definition of ‘ECI’ in the text resulted in a curated list of 27 articles. The articles were then compared on type, method, theory, contribution and context/country. The review reveals a rather unified definition of ECI, but contractor involvement early in the design can be found in multiple concepts related to collaborative management models. The focus of the literature is also mainly on the contractual phase and less attention is given to project governance and execution. The literature focuses on the contractual aspects and incentive structures of ECI, while less focus is on how ECI is organized in the project, the division of responsibility and sharing of amongst the partners. Furthermore, there is a difference in how the concept of ECI is applied in different countries. The review also finds that multiple types of methods are applied in ECI studies but that few studies apply a theoretical lens or endeavour to contribute to theory. The article discusses the literature as well as possible future research.
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| 9. |
- af Hällström, Anna, 1987, et al.
(author)
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“I can say things I wouldn't normally say”: Changing project delivery implementation and social networks as drivers of institutional change in Nordic infrastructure projects
- 2024
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In: Project Leadership and Society. - 2666-7215. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The implementation of collaborative project delivery models introduces new ways of working, changing processes and behaviours, and influencing network structures, especially in major inter-organisational projects. The ongoing standardisation thereof helps align the industry and change infrastructure institutions while the formation of network ties in a specific project can in turn guide the implementation of the models. We study how this deliberate change of governance structures impact project institutions through two Nordic infrastructure projects, which show how different project networks result in either a successfully implemented change or a return to traditional behaviours. Our findings show first, how inter-organisational projects with a collaborative approach can change institutions through the interaction of institutional levels and second, that network ties helps changing the institutional context, role behaviours and project processes. The findings contribute to the discussion on institutional change and give empirical evidence of how project networks help explain the success or failure of institutional change initiatives.
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| 10. |
- af Hällström, Anna, 1987, et al.
(author)
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The dark side of collaboration: The risks of strong ties in collaborative project networks
- 2021
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In: Proceedings of the 37th Annual ARCOM Conference, ARCOM 2021. ; , s. 402-411
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Collaborative project delivery models (CPDMs) have been introduced as a way of managing infrastructure projects to improve the adversarial mindset characteristic for the field and improve project outcomes. A plethora of valuable research exists pertaining to the relevance and benefits of increased collaboration; but is all collaboration positive? A recent rise in the interest in social networks and their impact on project implementation has highlighted the need for further research into the structure of project networks. We apply a project network lens to study the strength of collaboration in infrastructure projects in which CPDM is applied to increase collaboration. We have conducted a pre-study using a collaborative way of working and two case study projects utilising a CPDM during 2019-2020. The data consists of interviews, observations and document analysis. We found that strong ties between individuals enable rapid information exchange and build trust within the network; but if the initialising phase is incomplete; it can be hard to include all participants later on in the process. Strong ties can also become over-embedded, resulting in a restricted project network and a constricted information flow. This is an interesting aspect to consider especially in long-term; major projects, where a certain relocation or reassignment of people is to be expected during the project’s life cycle. Another aspect to consider is the need for the project manager to rely on interpersonal relationships (i.e., strong ties) for efficient leadership as they lack traditional tools to manage project participants originating from other organisations, such as contractual ties. While strong ties are reported to bring several benefits, such as rapid information exchange and trust; they also carry risks restricting network development which become relevant for the application of CPDMs in large scale projects.
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