Joint CIB W099 &TG59 International Safety, Health & People In Construction Conference AN EVALUATION OF COLLABORATIVE PRACTICES IN CONSTRUCTION CONSTRACTING IN SOUTH AFRICA Zanele Matsane and Clinton Aigbavboa

Background Collaboration in a supply chain relates to the capability of two or more independent firms working together, planning and implementing SC operations with common goals in mind a process that requires planning and synchronisation which could potentially lead to the spontaneous development of relationships between the parties involved in the course of working together. Collaboration as a core principle has pluralistic advantages including the potential to encourage real-time information exchange required to prepare for, respond to and recover from supply chain disruptions while reducing their impact

Study Undertaken to identify ways of promoting collaborative working arrangements between contractors and their SC in South Africa to determine the nature of CP in construction; to determine how contractors could apply CP in a supply chain and to determine the key drivers of CP in a supply chain

Study Undertaken Interview protocol, individual interview w/ professionals and case study interviews consisted of 18 and 14 questions respectively (31 respondents) Chief interview template was developed, a second interview template which was loosely based on the main template was used for the case study respondents.

Findings: Nature of CP Collaboration between partners was of a mutual nature. Face-to-face and asynchronous collaboration characterised the nature of main contractor and subcontractor relationship Separate organisations that maintain their independence; large national organisation working with a small local group and a group structure where a parent organisation governs a group of subsidiary organisations.

Findings: Application of CP All members of the SC were under legal obligations as standard forms of contracts (JBCC and NEC3) The main contractor maintained a managerial role while the subcontractor undertook the role of supervisor of works

Findings : Key drivers of CP Job security, successful work execution and client satisfaction as the key driver for members of the construction team. The sharing of risks and having specialists complete various facets of the project encouraged main contractors to continue pursuing a collaborative relationship with their subcontractors. Incentive programmes, training and induction programmes enabled smooth running of processes, trust and open communication.

Concluding Remarks Collaborative practice can be identified within the existing structures of site practices, thus showing that collaborative practices are an integrative management approach There is a need to develop and implement alternative forms of contracts Opportunities thus exist for eliminating non-collaborative tailored practices between contractors and their supply chain in South Africa collaboration in South African construction sites has taken a different form from the international construction community, that of a rudimentary existence

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