The role of public actors in construction logistics: effects on and of relational interfaces
Journal article, 2021

Public actors are increasingly enforcing the use of specifically designed construction logistics setups (CLS) to cope with logistical challenges and minimising disturbances on third parties in large construction projects. The organising of these CLS is contingent on the interaction among several types of actors. The purpose of the paper is to advance the understanding of the design and use of CLS and the distribution of various outcomes of such arrangements on the actors involved. The paper analyses the role of public actors in the initiating of CLS and how this affects the relational interfaces in the CLS triad of developers, contractors and logistics service providers, and the outcomes of their interactions. First, the main reason for a public actor to initiate a CLS is not cost, productivity or innovativity gains, but to decrease disturbances on third parties. Second, developers and contractors are forced to use the CLS initiated by the public actor. This makes them take on a forced customer role, explaining why these actors are often resistant to adopt to a certain CLS. Third, ripple effects, such as unintended costs and productivity impacts, occur in the construction supply chain because of the use of CLS.

relationship

Productivity

cost

customer

triad

service

logistics

Author

Victor Eriksson

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Supply and Operations Management

Kajsa Hulthén

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Supply and Operations Management

Viktoria Sundquist

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Construction Management

Anna M K Fredriksson

Linköping University

Mats Janné

Linköping University

Construction Management and Economics

0144-6193 (ISSN) 1466-433X (eISSN)

Vol. 39 10 791-806

Subject Categories

Other Mechanical Engineering

Public Administration Studies

Business Administration

DOI

10.1080/01446193.2021.1970785

More information

Latest update

4/5/2022 5