Reflexive capability maturity assessment for firm management of multi-partner international projects

This chapter reports the findings of a research project which was funded by the Australian-Malaysian Institute (AMI), aimed at developing and promoting a greater understanding of the uniqueness of successful Australian-Malaysian partnerships and joint ventures undertaken on complex multi-partner mega construction projects. The aim of the investigation was to identify the critical success factors specific to such partnerships. The theoretical framework was grounded in a previous empirical study on design firm internationalisation which demonstrated that long-term success in international markets is enhanced by the management of integration of transformation of social, cultural and intellectual capital within the firm. Social capital is the creation of personal relationships and networks based on trust built over time and has relevance for the project team networks and firm and client networks. Cultural capital entails physical 'dispositions' such as 'building visible buildings, winning design competitions, or obtaining important tenders' premised on the reputation of the firm in that the success of marketing architectural services 'depends upon the firm's ability to sell and deliver a credible promise'. Intellectual capital is a firm's collective skills, experience, competences and knowledge and is critical to the sustainability of firms, particularly in international markets.