Analysis and visualisation of stakeholder relationship in offsite construction : social network analysis approach

While Off-site construction has emerged recently, its benefits have long been proved worldwide. Many hold that Off-site construction is re-structuring the industry, its supply chain and setting supplementary standards. Although stakeholder theory is prevailing in project management research, there is still a lack of in-depth research upon patterns of interrelationship and communication among Off-site construction stakeholders. Given that in Off-site construction project-based organisations are multi-level structures, stakeholders interact with each other not only within-level but also cross-level. To facilitate the adoption and diffusion of Off-site construction, there is a need to address patterns and find out the optimal mechanism for promoting inter-collaboration. Social Network Analysis is presented as a holistic approach to meet that need in a more quantitative and unambiguous way. Based on a critique of Off-site construction literature and Social Network Analysis theory, a conceptual framework is also proposed for Off-site construction stakeholder research themes and corresponding methodology. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a sound theoretical foundation for the development of a social network model and the understanding of the complex of connection and relationship among Off-site construction stakeholders.