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Graham Ive and the methodology of construction economics

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  • Gerard de Valence
  • Goran Runeson

Abstract

Graham Ive's central contribution to our methodological debate was his insistence on the firm as the analytical unit. Ive argues we should reject theories if the aspect of construction we are examining does not satisfy the assumptions of a particular theoretical model. We see this in his rejection of neoclassical economic theories in the two topics discussed in this paper: the adoption of innovations in construction; and microeconomic analysis as it relates to price determination in the market for construction. The former requires studying not just participants in the building process, but also participants in the innovation process, and the latter uses post-Keynesian pricing theory where prices are set according to mark-up procedures and vary with costs, but not directly with demand. This is in contrast to the general equilibrium, perfectly competitive price setting of neoclassical economics. Ive and his collaborators show a way towards better research in their emphasis on theory and the insistence that for construction economics the analytical units are the industry and the firm, not the project. Ive's concern is that the processes involved in organizing the production of buildings should be seen as a distinctive and defining element of our analysis of the industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerard de Valence & Goran Runeson, 2015. "Graham Ive and the methodology of construction economics," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(2), pages 126-133, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:33:y:2015:i:2:p:126-133
    DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2015.1021702
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia M. Hillebrandt, 1974. "Economic Theory and the Construction Industry," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-349-01927-4, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ceric Anita & Ivic Ivona, 2021. "Network analysis of interconnections between theoretical concepts associated with principal–agent theory concerning construction projects," Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 2450-2464, January.

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