The communication process between a project owner and a project manager: a multiple case study of three projects in the construction industry

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this thesis is to investigate potential communication challenges that might occur between a project owner and a project manager during a construction project. As well as how the communication process between a project owner and a project manager is shaped by governance structure, support, control, and trust. Design/methodology/approach - Multiple case study of three projects within one project-driven organization in the construction industry. Empirical data was collected using an in-depth semi-structured interview with 14 informants. Findings - Findings from this study have found that there are few potential communication challenges between a project owner and project managers from the same base organization. However, there was some potential communication challenges such as time restriction, distance, and information asymmetry that had an affect on their relationship. Furthermore, the governance mechanisms; governance structure, support, control, and trust was found to have an effect on the project owner and project managers relationship and how their communication process is shaped in their construction projects. Research limitations/implications – Future research should extend this study to look for more communication challenges between a project owner and project manager with the use of a larger sample. Moreover, similar and other governance mechanisms should be considered in order to see how they shape the communication process. Practical implications – The findings from this study can provide with insight in how a project owner and project manager can reduce potential communication challenges. The factors governance structure, support, control, and trust should be considered as important factors to build or reinforce a better communication process in the projects. Originality – This research is one of the few that look into the potential communication challenges between a project owner and project manager, but also contributes to increasing existing research of how governance structure, support, control, and trust affects a project owner and project managers relationship. Keywords - project owner, project manager, communication challenges, communication process, governance structure, support, control, trust.