Improvisation in construction : types, characteristics and influencing factors -

Abstract

Improvisation is defined as intentional but extemporaneous, rational decision-making. It is a helpful skill of decision making under time pressure and without the optimal information and resource. Even though managers tried to eradicate improvisation from their organizations it continued to exist as a complementary process for planning. In construction industry, improvisation is acknowledged as a fact of life, but there exists no clear understanding of this process and the factors influencing it. The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding for improvisation in construction, realize the factors contributing in sound improvisation and finally model the process of improvisation in construction to guide the specialists’ decisions-making process towards attaining the desired improvisational outcomes. In order to accomplish that, an ABC model was developed to group all antecedents, behaviors and consequences of improvisation; and fatherly a survey was conducted to gather necessary data in order to analyze the developed model. The data analysis showed that experience and the type of organization have a significant effect on the outcomes of improvisation in construction. In addition, the performed data analysis helped the authorrecognize the most frequent causes, methods and types of uncertainties faced while improvising. This analysis further identified the methods and type of training which are considered effective, as well as the personal and organizational characteristics that would help enhance the practice of improvisation. Nevertheless, the data analysis pinpointed the frequent procedures practiced while making the improvised decision.