How information flows can be enhanced within construction projects within construction companies

How information flows can be enhanced within construction projects within construction companies

Oorschot, Tom (TU Delft Civil Engineering and Geosciences)

Bosch-Rekveldt, M.G.C. (mentor)
de Bruijne, M.L.C. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Civil Engineering | Construction Management and Engineering

2021-10-29

The role of information flows increased over the last decades and has become more important within construction companies as they deal with complicated projects. Multiple recent studies state that enhancing the information flows can result in a better functioning organisation.

Research description
The information flow between the different layers of an organisation is of high importance. A distinction can be made between formal and informal information flows. Controlling a large organisation, the formal information holds a very dominant and strong position when it comes to information flows. Nevertheless, formal information does not always deliver the managers of the organisation the right information to establish proper coordination and strategy. Conjoining the process of acquiring information informally and the formal information systems of organisations has not been successful so far. The literature indicates that strategies and the way of coordinating an organisation should be based on both the formal and informal information, but chances are that the formal information instruments dominate the informal information. Hollandia Infra believes that there is room for improvement on how to cope with their information flows. The research question formulated in order to help to reflect upon this matter is:

‘How can information flows be enhanced
in construction projects within a construction company?’

To answer this question a literature study is conducted to investigate the current theoretical role of information flows in intrafirm supply chains of construction projects. Afterwards a case study has been conducted at the construction company of Hollandia Infra. As part of this case study the intended information flow is studied by conducting a company document study. A Social Network Analysis is carried out in order to understand how the actual information flow functions. The intended and actual information flows are compared. Identified differences are explained by interviewing those involved. To understand the role information flows play in the organisation. The interview findings result in managerial implications which aim to support efforts to enhance the information flows. These managerial implications are validated by interviewing two experts.

Theoretical role of information flows
Information flows can be divided into formal and informal information flows. Formal information flows concern information that is less dependent on individual information holders. This form of information flows is easier to regulate, using IT systems for instance, than informal information flows. The informal information flow is very dependent on the individual information holder and his/her willingness to share information. The focus of organisations is mainly on the transfer of formal information as organisations aim to provide and produce generic information and guidelines that employees can use to work with. This results in informal information flows playing a background role, while this form of information is of strategical added value.

Intended and actual information flow
By carrying out a company document study, the primary process of Hollandia Infra during the construction phase was studied in-depth. Understanding and visualising the workflow and what the function of the different actors in the primary process is, has led to the disclosure of the relationships and the associated information flow. Based on the process schemes of Hollandia Infra it can be assumed who is in contact with whom and thus how the information is intended to flow through the organisation…

information flows
Coordination
Social Network Analysis

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3bb28fad-30bc-46ec-8e26-f5b1c6e76678

Student theses

master thesis

© 2021 Tom Oorschot