Construction supply chain collaboration: A reflection on drivers, barriers, and outcomes

Abstract

The fragmented and project-based nature of the construction industry promotes adversarial relationships, inefficiencies, and undermines sustainability. A framework for construction supply chain collaboration (CSCC) is proposed following a systematic literature review of 74 peer-reviewed engineering/management articles. It distinguishes three tiers of actionable practices: strategic (e.g., long-term partnerships), tactical (e.g., coordination via BIM), and organizational (e.g., workforce training). The framework emphasizes how collaboration, with its associated drivers and barriers, yields both intended and unintended outcomes. This paper offers practical guidance on establishing CSCC. It also provides new research directions, reflecting the role of collaboration in overcoming the industry’s outdated practices.