Leadership style and power relations in quantity surveying in Hong Kong

Abstract

The realization of construction projects brings together a diversity of individuals and organizations, variously forged into groups and teams, in which power is important in shaping leader/follower behaviour. Quantity surveyors, being primarily project cost consultants and procurement/contractual advisers, are employed both by the clients' and the contractors' organizations. This paper investigates aspects of leadership style and power within quantity surveying in both clients' and contractors' project 'teams'. The empirical work employed two questionnaires, developed from established instruments and completed by samples of team leaders and team members. Some differences emerged between quantity surveyors working for consultants' organizations (acting on behalf of the client) and those working for contractors' organizations. The results confirm the relationship orientation of clients' consultant quantity surveyors, who tend to adopt the supportive style of leadership. The directive style of leadership showed negative impact. Power distance was found to exceed that measured previously for Hong Kong and expert power was the most important power source.Culture, leadership, power, quantity surveying,

The Mediation Influence of Job Satisfaction on Organisational Commitment amongst Quantity Surveyors

“…That is, job satisfaction has been found to have a mediating influence on the relationships between work group identification and the two forms of organisational commitment. In the construction industry, quantity surveyors in different hierarchy positions are assigned to work in groups to provide cost and contractual expertise for construction projects (Choi, 2006;Fellows, Liu and Cheung, 2003;Potts, 2008). With the work group arrangement, cooperation and collaborative working relationships are common in quantity surveyors' daily working practices (Choi, 2006), which would impose positive feelings on the quantity surveyors and would also improve their intention to stay in the organisation.…”

“…Within quantity surveying firms, quantity surveyors in different hierarchy positions are assigned to work groups to provide cost and contractual expertise for construction projects (Choi, 2006;Fellows, Liu and Cheung, 2003;Potts, 2008). Project tasks are divided among quantity surveyors within the work group.…”

Empowering the project team: impact of leadership style and team context

“…However, Fellows et al (2003) found that, in Hong Kong, relationship orientation of project quantity surveyors is stronger among contractors than consultants.…”

Research on cross‐cultural leadership and management in construction: a review and directions for future research

“…For example, Fellows et al (2003) studied the cultural orientation of leaders in Hong Kong and found that Chinese culture continues to have a profound influence on local culture despite over a century of British rule. Sillars and Kangari (2004) highlight the importance of cultural match between partners in the internal working of joint ventures.…”