Research On Collaboration Mechanism In Centralized Construction Of Government-Invested Projects From The Paradox Perspective

The centralized construction management mode of government-invested projects has outstanding advantages in improving management professionalism,reducing supervision difficulty,and reducing integrity risks by integrating the resources of project owners and project managers.However,in practice,the bilateral collaboration faces many contradictory factors.Therefore,it is very necessary to discuss the obstacles and mechanisms of the bilateral collaboration in the centralized construction of government-invested projects from the paradox perspective.In order to carry out this research,firstly,22 case data and interview data with 60 experts were used to sort out the current situation of the bilateral collaboration under the centralized construction management mode of government-invested projects.It includes the characteristics and responsibilities of project owners and project managers,the relationship of cooperation between the two parties,and the contents and methods of the collaboration.This could be used as the background for the study of the paradoxes in the bilateral collaboration.Next,this study applied qualitative research method to code expert interviews and case data,in this way,the paradoxes existing in the bilateral collaboration could be identified.Then,corresponding to the definitions of paradoxes of organizing,performing,belonging,learning and mixed dimensions in the paradox theory,the identification results were classified into five-dimension paradoxes.And nine types of paradoxes were obtained:separation and coordination,empowerment and control,goal difference and conflict,exploration learning and exploitation learning,project managers’ high commitment and high performance,project owners’ pursuing both innovative performance and existing interests,and standardization of project management and individualization of using requirements.Then,by applying the same method,thirteen management strategies as coordination mechanisms to manage above paradoxes were proposed.In organizing dimension,they are formal mechanism,trust mechanism,structural collaboration mechanism,and procedural collaboration mechanism.In performing dimension,they are “face” to take into account multiple goals,and “transcend” to build the common mission.In belonging dimension,they are leaders good at balancing paradoxes,and respecting differences and diversification.In learning dimension,they are market incentives,and structural separation and integration mechanisms to achieve bilateral collaborative learning.In the mixed dimension,they are establishing collaboration with a third party,transforming project owners’ role,and the mechanism of structural separation and integration to ensure the realization of standardization and personalization.The theoretical value of this research is to supplement the current research on the bilateral collaboration mechanisms in the centralized construction management mode of government-invested projects,and provide a new paradox perspective for the study of the centralized construction management mode.The practical value is that it can provide reference for government to guide the development of the industry and formulate relevant policies,and help project owners and project managers to realize the existence of paradoxes and co-create project value.