ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the importance for construction clients to build the trust of project teams through collaborative strategies. It explores the extent to which construction clients can utilise the theory of trust as a viable tool in collaboratively procuring more successful construction outcomes. ‘The Intelligent Client’ recommended a model of procurement through which relationship management between the client and the supply chain creates a work environment in which collaboration and trust flourishes. To address commercial issues, a greater awareness of the underlying problems of trust relating to adversarial behaviours is required by construction clients and passed down through their project teams. Accordingly construction clients, as leaders and ‘project sponsors’ should wherever possible pursue such initiatives to have a beneficial influence on project success. When considering the extent to which clients are prepared and commit to collaborating and trusting their construction partners it is important to set down expectations to avoid any ambiguity.
