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Gruneberg, S and Murdoch, I (2011) Specialist contractors' views: Testing the NSCC state of trade quarterly report results against market conditions. In: Egbu, C and Lou, E C W (Eds.), Proceedings 27th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2011, Bristol, UK. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, 505–12.
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Keywords: interim payments; partnering; specialist contractors
- ISBN/ISSN: 978-0-9552390-5-2
- URL: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2011-0505-0512_Gruneberg_Murdoch.pdf
- Abstract:
Specialist contractors are employed to carry out the detailed work and the transformation of a building site into a finished building. The process is managed by main contractors. The relationship between main and sub-contractors is frequently characterised as confrontational and litigious. The challenge for main contractors is to complete their projects satisfactorily, on time and within budget. This is often achieved by exerting commercial pressures on their suppliers, including the specialist contractors. It is often said that changes in working practices have been taking place in the construction industry over the last decade. Key performance indicators tend to show improving standards. However, much remains to be done if the opinions of specialist contractors are to be taken into account. The National Specialist Contractors Council State of Trade Quarterly Report conducts a survey of opinions and perceptions held by specialist contractors. Although the survey reports that progress has been limited as far as they are concerned, the survey result relating to interim payments is found to have little statistical significance. Nevertheless the survey is published and used by specialist contractors and does report on the views of specialist contractors in 32 different trade associations.