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Revisiting site manager work: stuck in the middle?

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  • Alexander Styhre
  • Per-Erik Josephson

Abstract

The literature on middle managers tends to portray their role in rather negative terms. Middle managers are here stuck in between superiors and subordinates, with few opportunities for determining their work situation. In the construction industry, site managers play a role similar to that of the middle managers of large companies, located in between the firm's strategic decisions and day-to-day production work on construction sites. The aim of this study is to examine how site managers experience their work situation. Drawing on an interview study encompassing 13 site managers and seven foremen and top managers in 13 construction projects, the research suggests that site managers are generally pleased with their work situation even though they are critical of the demands made of them to handle a variety of heterogeneous activities. However, a work situation fraught with unanticipated challenges and ambiguities easily leads to excessive workloads and long working hours. It is concluded that the literature on middle managers presents too negative an image of middle management and thus needs to revise the assumptions regarding the nature of middle managerial work. In addition, the study also underlines the needs of construction firms to regard their middle managers as a central function and resource.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Styhre & Per-Erik Josephson, 2006. "Revisiting site manager work: stuck in the middle?," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(5), pages 521-528.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:24:y:2006:i:5:p:521-528
    DOI: 10.1080/01446190600658743
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Campbell Fraser, 2000. "The influence of personal characteristics on effectiveness of construction site managers," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 29-36.
    2. Francis J. Flynn & Barry M. Staw, 2004. "Lend me your wallets: the effect of charismatic leadership on external support for an organization," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 309-330, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Styhre & Per-Erik Josephson, 2007. "Coaching the site manager: effects on learning and managerial practice," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(12), pages 1295-1304.
    2. Thanh Phan, Phuong & Nguyen, Phong Thanh, 2022. "Evaluation Based on the Distance from the Average Solution Approach: A Derivative Model for Evaluating and Selecting a Construction Manager," MPRA Paper 116812, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Sep 2022.
    3. Fauré, Bertrand & Rouleau, Linda, 2011. "The strategic competence of accountants and middle managers in budget making," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 167-182, April.

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