lnu.sePublications
Change search
Link to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Mahapatra, Krushna
Publications (1 of 1) Show all publications
Hemström, K., Gustavsson, L. & Mahapatra, K. (2017). The sociotechnical regime and Swedish contractor perceptions of structural frames. Construction Management and Economics, 35(4), 184-195
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The sociotechnical regime and Swedish contractor perceptions of structural frames
2017 (English)In: Construction Management and Economics, ISSN 0144-6193, E-ISSN 1466-433X, Vol. 35, no 4, p. 184-195Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

To deepen the understanding of the sociotechnical regime that directs the selection of structural frames in multifamily buildings in Sweden, we study the perceptions of contractor representatives. Contract managers (CMs) employed at contractor firms were interviewed regarding their role, the selection of the structural frame and how they perceived different options. The results show that CMs largely influence the selection of the structural frame in multifamily buildings, which are guided by the established concrete-based sociotechnical regime. The regime is maintained through cognitive rules regarding structural frame options and the alignment of skills of construction professionals. Because of their influence and their investments in the skills of construction workers, CMs make important contributions to maintain the regime and the concrete path dependency. Furthermore, the regime varies in strength in different locations. Some locations carry a strong norm to cast concrete frames on site. This makes it more difficult to deviate from the established practice. In other locations, wood-promoting initiatives have changed the cognitive rules associated with the regime. Nonetheless, the sociotechnical regime makes the selection of concrete structural frames beneficial. This prevents wood-framed multifamily buildings from entering common usage, even though such buildings can contribute to mitigating climate change.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2017
Keywords
Construction sector, Sweden, sociotechnical regime, structural frame, multifamily buildings, cognitive rules, technological change
National Category
Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Research subject
Technology (byts ev till Engineering), Civil engineering; Social Sciences, Sociology; Technology (byts ev till Engineering), Sustainable Built Environment
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-58220 (URN)10.1080/01446193.2016.1245428 (DOI)000396847100002 ()2-s2.0-84992109035 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2016-11-20 Created: 2016-11-20 Last updated: 2019-08-29Bibliographically approved
Organisations

Search in DiVA

Show all publications