The Effectiveness of Contractually Governed Partnering in the Construction Industry - Dissertation Example

The last two decades have realized an increase in the use of partnering approaches in the construction industry in the UK. In particular, partnering has been extensively used between project owners or managers and contractors in the procurement and project implementation phases. The emergence and adoption of partnering as a preferred method in the UK construction industry have been accompanied by some controversies and criticism. Effectiveness is one aspect of partnering that has attracted significant discussions.

Notably, the fact that partnering is based on the principles of trust, mutual benefits, respect, and cooperation among partners has been the source of controversies. A partner could easily breach these principles, jeopardizing the implementation and the success of a project. Hence, contracts have been introduced to govern some aspects of partnering arrangements. These areas include good management through penalty and bonus incentives, fostering mutual trust and cooperation, and enhanced achievement of partners’ objectives and expectations.

The other areas are risk devolution, legal documentation and evidence and resolution of conflicts, and reduction of tension among partners. In the UK, agencies such as the Housing Authority and Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) play key roles in promoting the benefits of contractually governed partnering.The emergence and the widespread use of partnering strategies is perhaps the main reason the construction industry in the UK has experienced dramatic changes in the last two decades.

In particular, the principles of partnering have been applied in the area of construction procurement, where it has displaced the traditional approach of design and build1.Fundamentally, the partnership is a collaboration among the parties in construction or any other project with predetermined goals, resources, and periods. The goal of a partnering initiative is normally to enhance or optimize performance in the delivery of projects’ outputs, outcomes, and impacts2.