Developing the Competitive Advantage of Indigenous Construction Firms

This book takes a pragmatic approach to develop the competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms in the Global South, using Ghana as a case study. It provides readers with two major practical insights. The first focuses on the theoretical underpinning of firms’ competitive advantage and develops a competitive advantage model for indigenous construction firms. This competitive advantage conceptual frameworkaids in explaining the main and sub-attributes underpinning the competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms as well as providing the basis for assessing a firm’s competitiveness. Secondly, it highlights and addresses theoretical gaps in existing competitive advantage studies deemed essential for indigenous construction firms. Finally, a detailed two-stage Delphi studyin theGhanaian construction industry is presented as a case study. The book is therefore of interest to researchers in construction management, strategic management, civil engineering, business administration, marketing, entrepreneurial and economic studies. It is an essential manual for owners and managers of construction businesses. It is also useful for government departments and non-governmental agencies seeking innovative ways to develop the capacity of indigenous firms and/or contractors to make them more responsive to competitive bidding scenarios, delivery of projects, and satisfying the needs of the industry’s stakeholders.

1. Introduction 2. Theoretical and Conceptual Perspectives of Firms' Competitive Advantage Research 3. An Assessment of Firms' Competitive AdvantageStudies 4. Outcome Measuring Indicators of Firms' Competitive Advantage 5. Gaps in Firms' Competitive Advantage Research 6. Competitive Advantage Studies in the Construction Industry: Examples from the Global South and North 7. Competitive Advantage in the Ghanaian Construction Industry 8. A Methodological Framework for Developing a Competitive Advantage Conceptual Model for Indigenous Construction Firms in the Global South 9. The Outcome of the Delphi Study 10. An Integrated Competitive Advantage Conceptual Model for Indigenous Construction Firms 11. Conclusions and Recommendations

Matthew Kwaw Somiah is a civil engineer by profession and a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment, Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Ghana. Dr Somiah is an academic with extensive knowledge in civil engineering practice, research, training and teaching. He has worked with many construction firms in Ghana as Construction Manager. He has been a Lead Researcher for CoST Infrastructure Transparency International in Ghana. He shares research interest in Strategic Management, Construction Entrepreneurship, Land-use Planning and Housing delivery, and Construction Education. He currently serves as the Chair for Research and Development at the Faculty. Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa is Professor at the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He worked as a quantity surveyor on several infrastructural projects, both in Nigeria and in South Africa. Prof. Aigbavboa is currently the Chair of Sustainable Human Settlement and Construction Research Centre at the University of Johannesburg. He is currently the editor of the Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation (accredited by the DoHET) and has received national and international recognition in his field of research. Wellington D. Thwalais Professor at the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Currently, he is the Chair of SARChI in Sustainable Construction Management and Leadership in the Built Environment, FEBE, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Prof. Thwala has extensive experience of providing consultancy for project leadership and management of construction projects and teaching project management subjects at the postgraduate level. He has an extensive industry experience with research focus on sustainable construction, leadership, and project management. He is the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation and serves as an editorial board member to various reputable international journals.