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Baharudin, M R, Nasruddin, H N, Rahman, A A, Mahadi, M R and Noor, S B M (2018) Numerical model for individual time calculation for evacuation among secondary students. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 36(05), 450–70.

Chung, H C P and Adeyeye, K (2018) Structural flood damage and the efficacy of property-level flood protection. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 36(05), 471–99.

Esteves, I C, Medeiros-Junior, R A and Medeiros, M H (2018) NDT for bridges durability assessment on urban-industrial environment in Brazil. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 36(05), 500–15.

Gluch, P and Svensson, I (2018) On the nexus of changing public facilities management practices: purposive and co-creative actions across multiple levels. Construction Management and Economics, 36(05), 259–75.

Green, S D, Harty, C, Elmualim, A A, Larsen, G D and Kao, C C (2008) On the discourse of construction competitiveness. Building Research & Information, 36(05), 426–35.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: competitiveness; construction performance; discourse; enterprise culture; lean construction; sustainability
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0961-3218
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210802076666
  • Abstract:
    It is contended that competitiveness is better understood as a discourse rather than as a characteristic that is supposedly possessed. The discourse of competitiveness derives its legitimacy from the enterprise culture that came to dominance during the 1980s. Current popularized theories of competitiveness are constituent parts of this broader discourse, which has had significant material implications for the UK construction sector. The dominant discourse of competitiveness amongst contracting firms is shaped by the need to achieve structural flexibility to cope with fluctuations in demand. Fashionable espoused improvement recipes such as total quality management, business process re-engineering, and lean construction legitimize and reinforce the material manifestations of the enterprise culture. In consequence, the UK industry is characterized by a plethora of hollowed-out firms that have failed to invest in their human capital. While the adopted model may be rational for individual firms, the systemic effect across the sector as a whole equates to a form of anorexia. However, the discourse of competitiveness is by no means monolithic and continues to be contested locally. There have also been numerous counter-discourses that have been mobilized in response to the undesirable externalities of unbridled enterprise. Currently, important counter-discourses promote the ideas of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Hartmann, A, Reymen, I M M J and Van Oosterom, G (2008) Factors constituting the innovation adoption environment of public clients. Building Research & Information, 36(05), 436–49.

Lee, C and Moudon, A V (2008) Neighbourhood design and physical activity. Building Research & Information, 36(05), 395–411.

Loosemore, M and Bridgeman, J (2018) The social impact of construction industry schools-based corporate volunteering. Construction Management and Economics, 36(05), 243–58.

Malmqvist, T (2008) Environmental rating methods: selecting indoor environmental quality (IEQ) aspects and indicators. Building Research & Information, 36(05), 466–85.

McDermott, V, Zhang, R P, Hopkins, A and Hayes, J (2018) Constructing safety: investigating senior executive long-term incentive plans and safety objectives in the construction sector. Construction Management and Economics, 36(05), 276–90.

Moon, H J and Augenbroe, G (2008) Empowerment of decision-makers in mould remediation. Building Research & Information, 36(05), 486–98.

Oswald, D, Sherratt, F, Smith, S D and Hallowell, M R (2018) Exploring safety management challenges for multi-national construction workforces: a UK case study. Construction Management and Economics, 36(05), 291–301.

Palaneeswaran, E, Love, P E D, Kumaraswamy, M M and Ng, T S T (2008) Mapping rework causes and effects using artificial neural networks. Building Research & Information, 36(05), 450–65.

Sanni-Anibire, M O, Hassanain, M A, Mahmoud, A S and Ahmed, W (2018) An evaluation of the functional performance of research and academic laboratories using the space syntax approach. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 36(05), 516–28.

Sartori, I, Bergsdal, H, Muller, D B and Brattebo, H (2008) Towards modelling of construction, renovation and demolition activities: Norway's dwelling stock, 1900–2100. Building Research & Information, 36(05), 412–25.

Shirleyana, Hawken, S and Sunindijo, R Y (2018) City of Kampung: risk and resilience in the urban communities of Surabaya, Indonesia. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 36(05), 543–68.

Yazdani Mehr, S and Wilkinson, S (2018) Technical issues and energy efficient adaptive reuse of heritage listed city halls in Queensland Australia. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 36(05), 529–42.