The
construction sector differs to a large extent from other productive industries.
Here, supply chains are specifically configured for every construction project,
where each participant is specialized in particular activities based on core competencies.
Nowadays, the market is forcing the setting up of Virtual Enterprises (VE) with
a customer-oriented policy to facilitate the management, and to improve the efficiency
of the construction project. Based on this context, the paper analyzes the case
of a Spanish construction Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), which acts as the
broker of the VE corresponding to each construction project. The paper examines
the characteristics of this enterprise, the advantages for the customer, the difficulties
of its creation, which occurs through the necessity of a cultural change in customers
and suppliers, as well as the processes established to solve them.
The
construction sector presents a series of peculiarities that makes it different
from other productive sectors. One of the most important is the fact that the
supply chain is configured for each individual construction project. The current
trend of companies participating in these supply chains is towards greater specialization,
especially when referring to construction processes. Likewise, some promoter and
construction companies are establishing contracts with only one supplier, who
constitutes a Virtual Enterprise, containing all or part of the members of the
supply chain. This implies significant savings in cost and time and other advantages,
such as better control of the outsourcing processes and the possibility of focusing
the organization's energy in its core competences. The paper examines a real case
of a Spanish construction company. This company configured a Virtual Enterprise
from the point of view of customers (promoters or property) at the first level
of the Supply Chain, acting as a broker.
Given
the particular characteristics of the sector, the supply chain is different for
each construction project. London and Kenley (2000) propose a method to describe
Construction Supply Chains. The main criterion to establish the relations and
structure is the initial identification of each particular project. The three
key factors of the model are: the project, the participants and the relationships
between them. |
