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Through a proposed interpretative framework the relationship between forms of transactional governance and type of information processing and communication media is analysed. Building projects are successfully completed through the development of federative mechanisms, such as cooperation, informal roles and rules, that complement and circumvent the hierarchical and formal provisions of standard contracts. At present there is a dislocation between the pattern of roles and rules advocated by standard contracts and that observed in practice. During the design and engineering process, federative mechanisms are supported by the exchange of qualitative and uncertain information through personal communication media such as group meetings and direct contacts. The focus of new information technologies should be broadened from controlling contractual compliance to facilitating communication and interaction among project participants.Building Process, Transactional Organizations, Contracts, Communication Factors, Information Technology,

Using OECD input/output tables at current and constant prices, this paper analyses the performance of the construction sector of eight highly industrialized countries - Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan and the USA - in the 1970s and 1980s. First, the main characteristics of the data set with country and time coverage are briefly introduced. Then, a set of simple indicators is used for comparative purposes, namely to assess the construction sector's diminishing role in terms of share in gross output, value added and GNP. Analysis focuses also on technologies, with emphasis on the relative role of manufacturing and services inputs. Lastly, standard measures of linkages are used to determine the main sources of induced output that are created by the push and pull effects of the construction sector on the rest of the economy.Construction Technologies, Input/Output Analysis, Constant Prices, Linkages,

The achievement of expected site productivity is one of the main characteristics of successfully completed projects. The productivity rates of concrete construction according to the learning curve theory are discussed in this paper. The study builds upon the records of variable productivity rates achieved in the erection of 15 multi-storey concrete structures in Southern Italy and the discussion of the factors behind such variability. In this last regard, a multilevel regression analysis identifies the most important factors. The repetitive work that characterizes these structures provides distinct opportunities for productivity enhancement. Learning curve theory is applied to quantify such an improvement by using a straight-line model. The quantification of learning rates, ranging from 85% to 95%, is useful for the labour cost and time planning of future concrete structures in the region. In the case of Italian sites, the application of the learning curve would be more beneficial if more effort were spent in the planning and control of the initial construction site operations and in the constructability analysis of design documents.

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