Governmentality of megaprojects : using social network analysis to investigate client decision-making in international construction

International megaproject success is significantly impacted by the internal workings of clients and its relationship with decision-making. Yet the focus of past research has tended to be on the industry's role instead of the client's. The overall aim of this research is to describe the structure and nature of power relations underpinning client decision-making on megaprojects using cultural political economy theory and the concept of governmentality. Client decision-making on megaprojects is deeply embedded in networks comprising formal and informal practices, rituals and culture whereby power is constantly exercised and exchanged. The reasons why certain decisions are made can be found not only in the intentions of actors within the megaproject coalition but also in the structure of the social environments within which actors are embedded. Megaproject decision-making is thus a network problem requiring an understanding of social structures and its relationship with the actors' associated behaviour. The aim of this theoretical paper is to explore the methodological value of using Social Network Analysis (SNA) in the investigation of client networks and power relationships on megaprojects. SNA is a form of 'organisational x-ray' to make visible those network characteristics typically regarded as invisible to demonstrate how the structure of network(s) influences client decision-making. This paper proposes the data collection and analysis methods for use in the study of the decision-making process undertaken by clients in the megaproject environment.