Social Network Analysis a Diagnostic Tool for Information Flow in the AEC Industry
Daniela M. Alarcón1, Isabel M. Alarcón2 & Luis F. Alarcón3
1Project Consultant, Centre of Excellence in Production Management, GEPUC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Edificio Mide UC 3er Piso, Macul, Santiago, Chile, Phone +56 2 2354 7050, [email protected]2I+D Manager, Centre of Excellence in Production Management, GEPUC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Edificio Mide UC 3er Piso, Macul, Santiago, Chile, Phone +56 2 2354 7050 – 7039, [email protected]
3Director and Professor, Department of Construction Engineering and Management, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Edificio San Agustín 3er Piso, Macul, Santiago, Chile, Phone +56 2 2354 4244, [email protected]
Abstract
In the Arquitecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, the ability to integrate and manage information is critical for organizational performance. Information networks are key for value generation, collaboration and continuous improvement, thus the great interest that they present for companies with a lean thinking approach. It is essential for companies to recognize and understand these relationships in order to exploit them and be able to manage them as any other process in order to improve transparency, flow and seek perfection. Unfortunately, they often remain invisible, unidentified. The hypothesis of this study is that a Social Network Analysis can be utilized as an effective diagnosis tool in order to make explicit an otherwise hidden flow of valuable information. The study begins with a literature review to support the analysis and understand the metrics, and the creation of a methodology for its use and application. It continues with a pilot implementation program in a mining company, enabling to test the methodology and to conclude with recommendations and possibilities of use of this tool. Future studies should continue to develop this tool in order to provide recommendations, detect possible behavioural patterns and explore other applications in the project network.
Keywords
Flow, collaboration, improvement, social network analysis, diagnostic tool, information flow, knowledge management
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Reference
Alarcón, D. M. , Alarcón, I. M. & Alarcón, L. F. 2013. Social Network Analysis a Diagnostic Tool for Information Flow in the AEC Industry, 21th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 947-956. doi.org/
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Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.
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