Expertise Flows and Network Structures in AEC Project Teams

Architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) project team networks frequently increase the density of information sharing ties to improve team performance. However, increased density might not result in team members receiving adequate information to collaborate towards common goals. There is a need to examine how network ties should be set up to manage information flows. Thus, the research goal is to explore the features of information sharing networks and their relationship with team performance in AEC projects. To achieve this goal, we collected communication data from an AEC project team with 179 members involved in total during the schematic design phase. Then, we performed social network analysis using Gephi and UCINET software. Results suggest that AEC project team networks are dynamic and adopt a core-periphery structure to share information early in project delivery. Including civil and mechanical subcontractors into the core subnetwork to collaborate with owners, designers, and general contractors can improve team performance. The study's contribution to the body of knowledge is expanding our understanding of the characteristics and evolution of information sharing networks in AEC projects for optimized team performance.