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Drivers for stewardship-oriented behaviour in client-consultant relationships : a Dutch engineering consultancy perspective
Selle, I.N. te (2023) Drivers for stewardship-oriented behaviour in client-consultant relationships : a Dutch engineering consultancy perspective.
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| Abstract: | Consultants operating in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry are performing complex, intellectual activities, procured by clients. Typically resulting in inter- organizational, trust- and communication-lacking client-consultant relationships, facing information and knowledge asymmetries. This study uses stewardship theory as theoretical lens to investigate interaction in client-consultant relationships from the consultant’s perspective. Data in the form of interviews and project documentation was collected from four case studies at an engineering firm and (cross-case) analysed to find patterns and draw conclusions. The research identified four drivers for stewardship-oriented behaviour, which was found being a more realistic approach within this AEC-context than pure stewardship, comprising to mutual trust, open communication, output verification, and transcendental motivation. The research discusses the drivers and argues, contrary to Davis et al., (1997), the possibility of transforming agent-steward relationships into either mutual agent or steward relationships. This research can benefit consultants in practice, by providing a perspective for viewing client-consultant relationships and the development stewardship theory among consultants in the AEC-industry. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Subject: | 56 civil engineering |
| Programme: | Construction Management and Engineering MSc (60337) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/94681 |
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