Partnering in construction: Critical study of problems for implementation

Over the years, the implementation of a construction project from planning to completion is full of potential claims and intractable disputes. As an innovative procurement method in the construction industry, partnering can provide the basis for project stakeholders to reorient themselves toward a "win-win" environment to problem solving and foster synergistic teamwork among them. However, adoption of the partnering concept may also entail difficulties and problems that need considerable attention. This paper provides a concise review of the barriers to successful implementation of partnering in general and then identifies the perceived problems associated with partnering in the Hong Kong setting in particular. A questionnaire survey was conducted to measure the problems faced by parties implementing partnering. The survey findings suggested the major obstacle of partnering success to be "facing commercial pressure to compromise on the partnering attitude." The results of the questionnaire survey could generate some recommendations to alleviate the barriers to partnering success in future construction projects, such as the identification of critical success factors for partnering projects.