Interventions to manage trust in construction projects

Swan, W; Khalfan, MMA; McDermott, P; Kyng, E

Abstract

Trust is described as an elusive concept, difficult to describe, understand, and therefore manage. The Trust in Construction project undertook five exploratory case studies in order to understand how trust is formed and the impact this has on project performance. The authors propose a model of the different forms of trust and the drivers and barriers to its development. Through this model, different approaches are identified that can either manage trust directly or mitigate the factors that may cause its breakdown within project teams. The research looks at the role of procurement mechanisms and the tools that are available to manage issues of project and commercial and relationship uncertainty, such as open book arrangements or partnering workshops, and sees how they can drive the level of trust within the project team. Based on both literature and experience of the case studies, the model identifies the risks to the development of trust and how they may be addressed through these tools.

Citation

Swan, W., Khalfan, M., McDermott, P., & Kyng, E. (2006). Interventions to manage trust in construction projects

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2006
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2007
• Journal: International Journal of Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: Vol 1
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 168-176