ABSTRACT
Questions have been raised as to whether a construction industry could commit resources that are needed for meaningful research, before it is clearly established that outputs from such research are significantly beneficial to practitioners. So which should come first (the ‘chicken’ or the ‘egg’)?
It is suggested that this dilemma is best resolved through a third party facilitatorideally a government sponsored body —to help orient research agendas towards both short and long term needs of industry. Examples of such bodies—dedicated to the sustainable development of national construction industries—are used to illustrate: (a) the identification of critical industry issues; and (b) the direction of research energies towards such issues.
Examples are also presented of potential benefits from such joint investigation of immediate issues, such as productivity. Such links can then well continue into partnerships designed to seek longer term solutions, for example through formulating integrated management systems.
The difficulties of collecting data of sufficient quantity and quality to generate useful research results and worthwhile recommendations, can also be overcome through such partnerships. It is concluded that the third party catalyst is indeed needed to initiate and sustain such cooperation and significant development in construction industries.
