There has been increasing interest in international construction since the late 1990s due to growing competition in global markets. A bibliometric analysis of international construction research is conducted to evaluate the trends and to map the productivity in the field. Using the Scopus database from 2003 to 2013; document type, research performance of leading journals and authors, geographic and institutional distribution of research is assessed. The core and sub topics of the literature is also analyzed to determine critical themes in international construction. Results reveal that (1) risk management, (2) measuring performance, (3) general strategy and (or) competitiveness, and (4) foreign market entry decision are the top four core themes in international construction research. The fluctuations in the number of papers in different subject categories reflect the new tendency in international construction debate, which emphasizes a shift from measuring performance themes to general strategy and (or) competitiveness and foreign market entry decision in international construction.

International construction involves uncertainties similar to domestic construction projects as well as risks specific to the host country. International contractors usually establish partnerships with a local firm in order to reduce risks and obtain knowledge of current local business practices and general knowledge of the local economy, politics and customs since they are unfamiliar with these institutional environments. Selecting an appropriate partner and considering the political, economic and socio-economic environment of a foreign country is essential for the formation and operation of a successful venture. Industry related factors and project related factors are the common risk factors that affect both domestic and international construction projects. In this respect, host country related factors, industry related factors and project related factors are considered as the main parameters of the partner selection process for international construction joint ventures (ICJVs), and the criteria of these factors are determined thorough literature review. The aim of this study is to assess the priorities of the determined risk factors in partner selection for ICJVs. Analytical network process (ANP) is selected as the most appropriate tool for this study as it allows interdependencies between components of a problem. A two phases of survey was conducted. Within the context of this study, the priorities and the weights of the determined risk factors are revealed. As a result; political stability, socio-economic stability, force majeure, inflation, government policy to construction sector and the strength of the legal system are found to be most important determinants of the partner selection process. The paper is relevant to both industry practitioners and researchers. Industry practitioners may assume the weighted criteria for partner selection or apply ANP approach to determine the priorities of their own set of selection criteria. It is also possible to add or remove a risk criterion according to the conditions of the specified country.

Internationalization has been on the agenda of construction firms as a strategic option in global competition. Due to globalization every sector including the construction industry has faced with high levels of competitiveness, uncertainty, and risk. International construction involves common risks to domestic construction, as well as risks that are related to the host country. These risks have serious effects on the performance of international projects. Since the sustainable competitiveness of international contractors depends largely on the effective management of these risks, their assessment becomes vital for the success of international contractors. The main aim of this study is to analyse the risks for international construction projects that are related to the host country. Meta-analysis technique is used in order to determine these risks. This paper, therefore, reviews the literature that has been published in four most respected construction and management journals, these being; Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Journal of Management in Engineering, Construction Management and Economics, and International Journal of Project Management for the period of 2000-2010. International construction risk assessment models are also reviewed within the context of this study, since host country related risk factors were found to have serious effects on the profitability of international contractors due to literature review. As a result; political stability, law and regulations, exchange rate risk, cultural differences, inflation, expropriation, tax discrimination, language barrier, bribery and corruption, force majeure, and societal conflicts in the host country are found to be the most important risk factors in international construction. Findings of this study can be used in risk assessment models for international construction projects. MEGARON 2014;9(3):190-200 MAKALE / ARTICLE

Joint ventures have been on the agenda of international contractors for the last few decades. Managing international construction joint ventures (ICJVs) and the performance of ICJVs has become the main subjects that researchers focused on after 2000. It is not possible to make the definition of ICJVs in a traditional way. That's why; the aim of this study is to make a contribution to the vague definition of ICJVs by using Ludwig Wittgenstein's family-resemblance theory as a method. Wittgenstein supposed that it is possible to understand a complex concept as a network of overlapping similarities. Researchers have applied Wittgenstein's family-resemblance theory to partnering, alliancing and relational contracting in construction. Similar to those studies, this study provides an innovative method to define vague concept of ICJVs by using Wittgenstein's idea of family resemblance theory. Components of ICJVs that were determined through an intensive literature review are used in this study in order to make a comprehensive definition. Finally, it was stated that combinations of these components differ to due cases after applying the sunflower model to three international aviation projects. The contribution of this innovative definition can be useful for both industrial practitioners and researchers, since it provides a flexible and structured way to discuss the multifaceted concept of ICJVs. In the procurement phase of an ICJV, professionals may use sunflower model in order to understand the differential dynamics of the venture. The model will also be a tool for defining the specific components of each venture and a common starting point for discussions between partners, thus avoiding any misinterpretations of what an ICJV is.