Much research work has assessed that construction is ineffective and many problems can be 
observed. Analysis of these problems has shown that a major part of them are supply chain 
problems, originating at the interfaces of different parties or functions. There have been 
several kinds of initiatives aiming at improvement and renewal of construction supply 
chains, but only few have a track record of consequent and significant successes. 
Here construction supply chains are approached from an alternative theoretical 
viewpoint, namely that of the language/action perspective. In this approach, organizations 
are seen as networks of commitments. Two avenues have been pinpointed for practical 
application of this approach. First, the process of requesting, creating and monitoring 
commitments can be facilitated by heuristic models and computer systems, when suitably 
designed. Secondly, people can learn to communicate for action by developing new 
sensibility towards the ways their language acts participate in networks of human 
commitments, and improving their skills in understanding requests, and making 
commitments. By closer study, existing empirical observations support the idea that a large 
share of construction supply chain problems are caused by poor articulation and activation 
of commitments. 
But would this new approach also facilitate the implementation of a new supply chain 
management that has proved to be so difficult in practice? In this regard, two initiatives are 
reviewed. The Dutch initiative to create a framework for communication in large civil 
engineering projects is first presented and initial experiences from its implementation are 
discussed. Then, Last Planner implementations are analyzed. By drawing on the concept of 
small wins, it is concluded that these implementations act as a stimulus for wider changes 
towards an environment of firm commitments and high trust. 
The paper ends with a review on research tasks ahead.

2001 Understanding Construction Supply Chains an Alternative Interpretation PDF

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