Open Access

Determinants of collaborative hybrid organisations in the construction industry of the Republic of Croatia


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Fig. 1

Remote site inspection with a remote expert system (Schranz et al. 2020).
Remote site inspection with a remote expert system (Schranz et al. 2020).

Fig. 2

AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC14. AR, augmented reality.
AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC14. AR, augmented reality.

Fig. 3

Doka verification buddy: Visualization of augmented work instructions in the field in combination with AI. AI, artificial intelligence.
Doka verification buddy: Visualization of augmented work instructions in the field in combination with AI. AI, artificial intelligence.

Fig. 4

AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC8. AR, augmented reality.
AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC8. AR, augmented reality.

Fig. 5

On-site navigation for excavator driver (Kirchbach 2014).
On-site navigation for excavator driver (Kirchbach 2014).

Fig. 6

AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC10. AR, augmented reality.
AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC10. AR, augmented reality.

Fig. 7

AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC21. AR, augmented reality.
AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC21. AR, augmented reality.

Fig. 8

On-site inspection: closed-loop data transfer. BCF, BIM collaboration format; IFC, Industry foundation classes; MVD, Model View Definition; GUID, Globally Unique Identifier; RFID, Radio-Frequency Identification.
On-site inspection: closed-loop data transfer. BCF, BIM collaboration format; IFC, Industry foundation classes; MVD, Model View Definition; GUID, Globally Unique Identifier; RFID, Radio-Frequency Identification.

Fig. 9

AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC7. AR, augmented reality.
AR capabilities and benefits connected with UC7. AR, augmented reality.

Fig. 10

Comprehensive map.
Comprehensive map.

Respondents’ function in enterprises.

Function F %
Senior management 77 62.6
Middle level management 32 26.0
Lower level management 14 11.4
Σ 123 100.0

Sample structure by the status of the contractor in the value chain.

Status of the contractor in the value chain F %
Main contractor 84 68.3
Subcontractor 39 31.7
Σ 123 100.0

Sample structure by the type of construction projects in which enterprises participate.

Project type F %
Building 35 28.5
Infrastructure facilities 86 70.9
Others 2 1.6
Σ 123 100.0

Statistical significance of affirmation of motives and obstacles in collaborative relations (sorted by size).

μ p
MOTIVES
Operational flexibility 4.36 0.000
Lack of own capacities 4.15 0.000
Achieving lower costs with increased workload 4.15 0.000
Complementarity of resources and synergy 4.11 0.000
Competitive advantage 4.05 0.000
Access to new technologies 3.93 0.000
Risk reduction 3.92 0.000
Reputation 3.89 0.000
Cost-sharing 3.82 0.000
OBSTACLES
Satisfaction with market relations based on price 3.46 0.000
Information leakage 3.03 0.747
Loss of discretion in decision-making 3.02 0.869
Legal uncertainty 3.00 1.000
Subcontractor dependence 2.98 0.799
Risk of subcontractors taking over customers and becoming competitors 2.88 0.282

Differences in RG, LIS, SND, Operational flexibility and Enterprise performance with regard to legal form, company size and contractor status (aggregate).

Legal form Company size Contractor status
Ltd. JSC p MP SP VP p GI PI P
RG 3.91 3.91 0.97 3.96 3.91 3.88 0.83 3.95 3.86 0.42
LIS 3.82 3.77 0.75 3.87 3.70 3.89 0.40 3.83 3.78 0.69
SND 3.97 4.00 0.83 4.01 3.96 4.01 0.90 4.06 3.86 0.07

Distribution of enterprises by headquarters.

Headquarters F %
Zagreb 32 26.0
Karlovac County 24 19.5
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County 9 7.3
Split-Dalmatia County 8 6.5
Osijek-Baranja County 8 6.5
Zagreb County 7 5.7
Istria County 6 4.9
Brod-Posavina County 5 4.0
Bjelovar-Bilogora County 4 3.2
Vukovar-Syrmia County 4 3.2
Zadar County 4 3.2
Požega-Slavonia County 3 2.4
Varaždin County 3 2.4
Šibenik-Knin County 2 1.6
Dubrovnik-Neretva County 1 0.8
Koprivnica-Križevca County 1 0.8
Krapina-Zagorje County 1 0.8
Sisak-Moslavina County 1 0.8
Σ 123 100.0

Sample structure by the location of construction projects in which enterprises participate.

Location of projects F %
Locally 60 48.8
The Republic of Croatia 53 43.1
Croatia and other countries 10 8.1
Σ 123 100.0

Differences in the importance of obstacles in collaboration with subcontractors regarding the legal form, company size and the contractor status.

Legal form Company size Contractor size
Ltd R JSC R p MP R SP R VP R p GI R PI R p
Satisfaction with market relations based on price 3.4 1 3.61 1 0.371 3.33 1 3.43 1 3.63 1 0.383 3.46 1 3.46 1 0.985
Subcontractor dependence 2.87 5 3.21 4 0.165 3 4 2.93 4 3 4 0.94 3 3 2.92 6 0.710
Loss of discretion in decision-making 2.98 2 3.13 5 0.557 3.13 2 2.93 5 3 5 0.717 2.98 4 3.1 2 0.553
Risk of subcontractors taking over customers and becoming competitors 2.81 6 3.23 3 0.134 2.88 5 2.9 6 2.87 6 0.99 2.85 6 2.95 5 0.680
Information leakage 2.95 3 3.39 2 0.091 3.1 3 2.98 3 3.03 3 0.885 3.01 2 3.08 3 0.771
Legal uncertainty 2.93 4 3.13 6 0.458 2.88 6 3.05 2 3.07 2 0.711 2.98 5 3.05 4 0.741

Importance of RG, LIS and SND with regard to legal form, company size and contractor status.

Legal form Company size Contractor status
Ltd P JSC p MP p SP p VP p GI p PI p
RELATIONAL GOVERNANCE We can count on our subcontractor to keep their promises 3.78 0.000 3.58 0.001 3.88 0.000 3.60 0.000 3.76 0.000 3.71 0.000 3.79 0.000
We can count on the honesty of our subcontractor in doing business with our company 3.77 0.000 3.67 0.000 4.03 0.000 3.64 0.000 3.65 0.000 3.73 0.000 3.87 0.000
Our subcontractor is a company that keeps its word 3.89 0.000 3.52 0.007 4.08 0.000 3.67 0.000 3.75 0.000 3.76 0.000 3.97 0.000
We have full confidence in the motives of the subcontractors 3.86 0.000 3.79 0.000 4.15 0.000 3.60 0.000 3.78 0.000 3.79 0.000 3.95 0.000
Subcontractors are open to us 3.81 0.000 3.70 0.001 4.08 0.000 3.62 0.000 3.73 0.000 3.78 0.000 3.85 0.000
The relationship built with subcontractors is based on a fair relationship 4.20 0.000 4.17 0.000 4.40 0.000 4.12 0.000 4.07 0.000 4.13 0.000 4.33 0.000
We stayed with our subcontractor because we feel like we are part of his family 3.28 0.012 2.92 0.732 3.50 0.002 3.12 0.472 3.07 0.680 3.06 0.595 3.59 0.001
We stayed with our subcontractor because we were attracted to the issues they supported as a company 3.63 0.000 3.58 0.010 3.95 0.000 3.44 0.008 3.51 0.002 3.50 0.000 3.92 0.000
We expect that the relationship and cooperation with the subcontractor will last for several projects 4.37 0.000 3.96 0.000 4.50 0.000 4.19 0.000 4.24 0.000 4.27 0.000 4.38 0.000
Subcontractors are committed to our cooperation 3.89 0.000 3.67 0.001 4.18 0.000 3.67 0.000 3.73 0.000 3.80 0.000 3.97 0.000
Subcontractors have sacrificed for us on past projects 3.27 0.019 3.13 0.524 3.38 0.045 3.17 0.313 3.22 0.152 3.20 0.043 3.36 0.099
The various jobs and work activities between our company and subcontractors fit together very well 3.94 0.000 3.63 0.002 4.05 0.000 3.83 0.000 3.76 0.000 3.80 0.000 4.05 0.000
Employees of our company and subcontractors who had to work together did the job properly and efficiently 4.31 0.000 3.88 0.015 4.38 0.000 4.12 0.000 4.17 0.000 4.17 0.000 4.34 0.000
Routines between our company and subcontractors are well-established 4.11 0.000 3.42 0.000 4.05 0.000 3.93 0.000 3.85 0.000 3.92 0.000 4.00 0.000
Activities with subcontractors are well-coordinated 4.12 0.000 3.71 0.000 4.10 0.000 4.05 0.000 3.98 0.000 4.01 0.000 4.10 0.000
Our subcontractors’ enterprises and our enterprise complement each other very well 4.15 0.000 3.88 0.000 4.28 0.000 4.07 0.000 4.00 0.000 4.06 0.000 4.23 0.000
When conflicts arise. our company and subcontractor would jointly find an appropriate solution 4.19 0.000 3.79 0.000 4.33 0.000 4.07 0.000 3.95 0.000 4.06 0.000 4.23 0.000
If the subcontractor’s execution was not in line with our expectations. we would help him or make a proposal 4.40 0.000 4.33 0.000 4.62 0.000 4.36 0.000 4.17 0.000 4.33 0.000 4.47 0.000
When our company encountered construction problems, the subcontractor gave us helpful opinions 3.88 0.000 3.70 0.000 4.08 0.000 3.80 0.000 3.63 0.000 3.77 0.000 3.97 0.000
We openly exchange ideas with a subcontractor in order to solve problems 4.22 0.000 4.04 0.000 4.58 0.000 4.05 0.000 3.95 0.000 4.12 0.000 4.34 0.000
Divergent opinions are resolved to a mutual satisfaction 4.15 0.000 3.92 0.110 4.30 0.000 4.00 0.000 4.00 0.000 4.02 0.000 4.26 0.000
LEVEL OF INFORMATION SHARING We inform subcontractors in advance about changes in our needs 4.10 0.000 3.92 0.032 4.28 0.000 3.98 0.000 3.90 0.000 4.01 0.000 4.13 0.000
Our subcontractors share business knowledge with us about core business processes 3.86 0.000 3.29 0.001 4.03 0.000 3.64 0.000 3.56 0.000 3.60 0.000 4.05 0.000
Our subcontractors inform us fully on issues that affect our business 3.61 0.000 3.29 0.000 3.79 0.000 3.52 0.000 3.41 0.001 3.49 0.000 3.74 0.000
We share information with our subcontractors to help establish business planning 3.80 0.000 3.67 0.000 4.00 0.000 3.79 0.000 3.61 0.000 3.74 0.000 3.92 0.000
We inform each other about events and changes that may have an impact on other partners 3.84 0.000 4.04 0.266 3.98 0.000 3.88 0.000 3.85 0.000 3.94 0.000 3.82 0.000
SUBCONTRACTOR NETWORK DESIGN Direct contact with our subcontractors is important for our company 4.53 0.000 4.33 0.000 4.65 0.000 4.43 0.000 4.41 0.000 4.46 0.000 4.56 0.000
We contract the same type of work with any one particular subcontractor 3.45 0.000 2.75 0.000 3.85 0.000 3.24 0.215 2.90 0.617 3.12 0.352 3.77 0.000
We invest a lot of effort in building a good and close relationship with subcontractors 4.28 0.000 4.13 0.000 4.38 0.000 4.31 0.000 4.05 0.000 4.26 0.000 4.21 0.000
We select our subcontractors according to clearly defined criteria 4.28 0.000 4.04 0.000 4.30 0.000 4.15 0.000 4.27 0.000 4.23 0.000 4.26 0.000
Contracts with our subcontractors contain detailed specifications and adaptive clauses 3.89 0.000 3.92 0.001 3.92 0.000 3.90 0.000 3.88 0.000 3.89 0.000 3.92 0.000
Cooperation with our subcontractors is repeated on several projects 4.41 0.000 4.29 0.001 4.68 0.000 4.24 0.000 4.27 0.000 4.30 0.000 4.59 0.000
Cooperation with our subcontractors has a long-term character 4.32 0.001 4.33 0.396 4.58 0.000 4.24 0.000 4.20 0.000 4.29 0.000 4.44 0.000
The intensity of cooperation with subcontractors is high 3.90 0.000 3.63 0.000 4.00 0.000 3.74 0.000 3.76 0.000 3.77 0.000 3.95 0.000
Relationships with our subcontractors are very strong 3.88 0.000 3.67 0.002 4.13 0.000 3.71 0.000 3.78 0.000 3.81 0.000 4.00 0.000
We use informal warranties with our subcontractors 3.38 0.000 2.79 0.000 3.70 0.000 3.29 0.123 2.88 0.453 3.11 0.359 3.67 0.001

Sample structure by the legal entity of the enterprise.

Legal entity F %
LLC 94 76.4
SC 24 19.5
Others 5 4.1
Σ 123 100.0

Sample structure by the size of the enterprise (number of employees).

Enterprise size (number of employees) F %
0–40 40 32.5
40–100 42 34.1
100+ 41 33.3
Σ 123 100.0

Differences in the importance of motives for concluding collaborative relations with subcontractors with regard to the legal form, company size and the contractor status.

Legal form Company size Contractor status
Ltd R JSC R p MP R SP R VP R p GI R PI R p
Access to new technologies 3.95 6 3.92 6 0.889 4.08 7 3.98 6 3.76 8 0.288 3.90 6 4.00 5 0.599
Achieving lower costs with increased workload 4.15 2 4.17 4 0.923 4.15 2 4.19 2 4.10 4 0.866 4.20 2 4.03 4 0.247
Operational flexibility 4.43 1 4.21 3 0.138 4.48 1 4.33 1 4.27 1 0.337 4.38 1 4.31 1 0.558
Cost-sharing 3.85 9 3.71 9 0.525 4.05 8 3.81 7 3.61 9 0.122 3.77 9 3.92 7 0.428
Risk reduction 3.95 7 3.92 7 0.890 4.10 5 3.76 8 3.90 5 0.252 3.90 7 3.95 6 0.816
Competitive advantage 4.09 4 4.04 5 0.822 4.15 3 4.17 3 3.83 7 0.102 4.04 5 4.08 3 0.797
Complementarity of resources and synergy 4.06 5 4.39 1 0.076 3.98 9 4.12 5 4.24 2 0.306 4.20 3 3.92 8 0.064
Reputation 3.91 8 3.83 8 0.670 4.13 4 3.69 9 3.85 6 0.054 3.88 8 3.90 9 0.911
Lack of own resources 4.12 3 4.33 2 0.223 4.10 6 4.17 4 4.20 3 0.852 4.18 4 4.10 2 0.612

Differences in RG, LIS and SND with regard to legal form, company size and contractor status (scales individually).

Legal form Size of the company Contractor status
Ltd JSC p MP SP VP p GI PI p
RELATIONAL GOVERNANCE We can count on our subcontractor to keep their promises 3.78 3.58 0.504 3.88 3.60 3.76 0.273 3.71 3.79 0.600
We can count on the honesty of our subcontractor in doing business with our company 3.77 3.67 0.306 4.03 3.64 3.65 0.030 3.73 3.87 0.332
Our subcontractor is a company that keeps its word 3.89 3.52 0.073 4.08 3.67 3.75 0.059 3.76 3.97 0.177
We have full confidence in the motives of the subcontractors 3.86 3.79 0.539 4.15 3.60 3.78 0.015 3.79 3.95 0.347
Subcontractors are open to us 3.81 3.70 0.798 4.08 3.62 3.73 0.036 3.78 3.85 0.701
The relationship built with subcontractors is based on a fair relationship 4.20 4.17 0.927 4.40 4.12 4.07 0.136 4.13 4.33 0.191
We stayed with our subcontractor because we feel like we are part of his family 3.28 2.92 0.198 3.50 3.12 3.07 0.140 3.06 3.59 0.009
We stayed with our subcontractor because we were attracted to the issues they supported as a company 3.63 3.58 0.841 3.95 3.44 3.51 0.033 3.50 3.92 0.024
We expect that the relationship and cooperation with the subcontractor will last for several projects 4.37 3.96 0.039 4.50 4.19 4.24 0.185 4.27 4.38 0.483
Subcontractors are committed to our cooperation 3.89 3.67 0.244 4.18 3.67 3.73 0.008 3.80 3.97 0.260
Subcontractors have sacrificed for us on past projects 3.27 3.13 0.804 3.38 3.17 3.22 0.654 3.20 3.36 0.445
The various jobs and work activities between our company and subcontractors fit together very well 3.94 3.63 0.170 4.05 3.83 3.76 0.173 3.80 4.05 0.073
Employees of our company and subcontractors who had to work together did the job properly and efficiently 4.31 3.88 0.027 4.38 4.12 4.17 0.249 4.17 4.34 0.215
Routines between our company and subcontractors are well-established 4.11 3.42 0.001 4.05 3.93 3.85 0.560 3.92 4.00 0.603
Activities with subcontractors are well-coordinated 4.12 3.71 0.060 4.10 4.05 3.98 0.788 4.01 4.10 0.566
Our subcontractors’ enterprises and our enterprise complement each other very well 4.15 3.88 0.078 4.28 4.07 4.00 0.261 4.06 4.23 0.259
When conflicts arise, our company and the concerned subcontractor would jointly find an appropriate solution 4.19 3.79 0.024 4.33 4.07 3.95 0.042 4.06 4.23 0.199
If the subcontractor’s execution was not in line with our expectations, we would help him or make a proposal 4.40 4.33 0.897 4.62 4.36 4.17 0.013 4.33 4.47 0.296
When our company encountered construction problems, the subcontractor gave us helpful opinions 3.88 3.70 0.591 4.08 3.80 3.63 0.090 3.77 3.97 0.253
LEVEL OF INFORMATION SHARING We openly exchange ideas with a subcontractor in order to solve problems 4.22 4.04 0.268 4.58 4.05 3.95 0.001 4.12 4.34 0.179
Divergent opinions are resolved to a mutual satisfaction 4.15 3.92 0.340 4.30 4.00 4.00 0.153 4.02 4.26 0.136
We inform subcontractors in advance about changes in our needs 4.10 3.92 0.471 4.28 3.98 3.90 0.102 4.01 4.13 0.464
Our subcontractors share business knowledge with us about core business processes 3.86 3.29 0.013 4.03 3.64 3.56 0.036 3.60 4.05 0.006
Our subcontractors inform us fully on issues that affect our business 3.61 3.29 0.078 3.79 3.52 3.41 0.128 3.49 3.74 0.136
We share information with our subcontractors to help establish business planning 3.80 3.67 0.467 4.00 3.79 3.61 0.175 3.74 3.92 0.312
We inform each other about events and changes that may have an impact on other partners 3.84 4.04 0.564 3.98 3.88 3.85 0.793 3.94 3.82 0.460
Direct contact with our subcontractors is important for our company 4.53 4.33 0.425 4.65 4.43 4.41 0.197 4.46 4.56 0.436
SUBCONTRACTOR NETWORK DESIGN We contract the same type of work with any one particular subcontractor 3.45 2.75 0.005 3.85 3.24 2.90 0.001 3.12 3.77 0.005
We invest a lot of effort in building a good and close relationship with subcontractors 4.28 4.13 0.634 4.38 4.31 4.05 0.137 4.26 4.21 0.710
We select our subcontractors according to clearly defined criteria 4.28 4.04 0.406 4.30 4.15 4.27 0.664 4.23 4.26 0.861
Contracts with our subcontractors contain detailed specifications and adaptive clauses 3.89 3.92 0.672 3.92 3.90 3.88 0.978 3.89 3.92 0.865
Cooperation with our subcontractors is repeated on several projects 4.41 4.29 0.394 4.68 4.24 4.27 0.015 4.30 4.59 0.048
Cooperation with our subcontractors has a longterm character 4.32 4.33 0.831 4.58 4.24 4.20 0.044 4.29 4.44 0.313
The intensity of cooperation with subcontractors is high 3.90 3.63 0.291 4.00 3.74 3.76 0.302 3.77 3.95 0.282
Relationships with our subcontractors are very strong 3.88 3.67 0.049 4.13 3.71 3.78 0.034 3.81 4.00 0.199
We use informal warranties with our subcontractors 3.38 2.79 0.044 3.70 3.29 2.88 0.003 3.11 3.67 0.009
eISSN:
1847-6228
Language:
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Publication timeframe:
Volume Open
Journal Subjects:
Engineering, Introductions and Overviews, other