Focusing on strategic alliances in the construction industry

The construction industry is a multi-disciplinary industry requiring input from building technology, engineering, business and marketing. With such a unique nature, the industry is particularly sensitive to economic upheavals. Recently, the slow pace of development of economy, the stabilised domestic market and the increasing public awareness of sustainability meant that many construction companies have to actively look at ways of increasing market edge and competitiveness. Strategic alliances emerged as the current highlight with their many distinctive contributions such as risk reduction and new market entry. This paper explores these features and examines their interrelationship to construction operations. Implications as well as advantages to Australian construction companies are analyzed with recommendations to those with an interest in contracting work in a global construction market.