Role of Communication in the Large-scale Construction Projects in India

Abstract

The large scale construction projects require efficient interaction and coordination of multiple stakeholders during the entire life cycle of the project and hence the role of effective communication management is crucial in enhancing project performance. Unfortunately, it is often neglected in India. The objective of the paper is to identify different communication stages in context of the phases of construction project implementation and also, to identify the degree of importance of various communication stages in large scale construction projects and the effects of communication problems arising thereof. It thus attempts to show how effective communication plays a key role in the overall functions of a construction project. Questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews of professionals working at managerial levels in different large-scale construction projects in India along with a detail analysis of the literature available on the role of communication in construction projects were carried out for this study. The results include identification of various communication stages, their degree of importance and the effects of communication problems in large scale construction projects in India during these phases. This study would be useful for the construction business professionals in determining the critical communication stages in construction project implementation which need more attention.