Crime in the AEC-industry: Opportunity space for the quality assurer

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.12.078Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Abstract

The literature recognizes criminal behavior in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry as a growing problem that needs to be addressed. The purpose of this study is to identify the opportunity space a quality assurer (QA) has to commit work-related crime within Norwegian construction projects. The analysis focuses on the role in general and not individuals. Despite this, the methodological basis is based on a specific case. The project chosen can be representative of other Norwegian building and construction projects, and the insight are relevant to other contexts. The primary data is obtained through nine semi-structured in-depth interviews with key figures within the industry. Furthermore, a literature search has been carried out to identify knowledge gaps. The results identifies an opportunity space in a number of processes in which the QA is responsible. The QA has significant influence within projects and has the opportunity to manipulate the QA-systems to his advantage. Furthermore, there is little experience amongst the interviewees with this opportunity being exploited. The results from this study and published data support that a third-party control, distancing of bonuses and stricter sanctions will be the most effective measures. However, there are few comprehensive reviews of this research field to date. It seems that little research has been published on the topic of what opportunity space there is for a QA within AEC-industry. The article will help to identify discrepancies, knowledge gaps, deficiencies in routines, systems, controls and etc. Furthermore, the article can be used to improve the overall quality assurance.

Keywords

Transparency
Quality asssurance system
Work-related crime
Case study
Contractor

Cited by (0)