Communication in Construction Teams [Hardback]

Emmitt (innovation and management in building, Technical U. of Denmark) and Gorse (construction project management, Leeds Metropolitan U.) have found that although scholars and practitioners alike are well aware of the importance of effective communication in construction, they have very little empirical evidence upon which to build practical applications. They conduct an extensive review of the present literature and examine Bates's interaction process analysis (IPA), a common tool for collecting interactive data. They then use IPA to evaluate communications in projects and to develop practical suggestions to ensure all actors are fully informed and participating in providing relevant information to others on the construction team. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Construction teams are usually complex, interdisciplinary and temporary, and, as such, the need for effective communication is crucial. However, published data regarding the manner in which individuals interact within the temporary project team is scarce, with little other than anecdotal evidence available.

Recognizing this gap, Communication in Construction Teams provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on interpersonal communication and delivers a critical review of various research methods previously used in and outside the construction management field. Making use of Bales' interaction process analysis (IPA), a tool used successfully in many fields to collect interaction data, the text investigates the link between successful projects and the effectiveness of communication, finding that participants in the construction process exhibit regular patterns of interaction and, most significantly, that there are different patterns of interaction associated with successful and unsuccessful projects.

Putting forward a number of practical suggestions to assist all actors involved in construction projects, this insightful publication will be of interest to researchers in the fields of building design and construction management.