Towards a more balanced risk management - A Norwegian case study of Integrated Project Delivery

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to explore how the IPD model can facilitate a more balanced risk management in construction projects. In order to address this, we will apply institutional theory as a theoretical lens in order to explore the transition from traditional risk management to shared risk management in construction projects. We conducted a qualitative research with a single case study of the first IPD project in Norway, and interviewed eight people from different units within the project organization. The findings are structured and presented after the methodology of Gioia, and the results lead to some interesting findings of practices that facilitate shared risk. Several of the IPD principles are associated with the practices identified as facilitators of shared risk in the project. Moreover, the study confirms the need for training and onboarding on both project and organizational level due to embedded routines and norms of traditional risk management. In addition, the results emphasize the theory of organizational learning, as the establishment of new practices for shared risk seem to rely on a dynamic process of organizational learning. Limitations can be found in relation to the research design in which a single case study is performed. There are also limitations associated with our case being a pilot project. However, the results from this study can be relevant to the construction industry, as IPD serves as an emergent model within the industry.