Global competitiveness: A case for Australia's - Building and construction industry

Australia's building and construction industry, is relatively uncompetitive. The industry lags behind other sectors of the economy in articulating a globalisation policy framework and initiative that would maintain a regime of competitiveness. While the current government created necessary enabling environments to promote globalisation, the industry, compared with other sectors, appears not to have capitalised adequately oil the opportunities to enhance its position. Although many reports have been advanced purporting to chart the way forward into globalisation, none has been rigorous and decisive enough to be taken seriously, let alone being sufficiently persuasive to industry, associations and government. Hence, it is imperative that the key leveraging competitive angles are identified for the conception of a clear framework for industry policy and implementation. The aim of this paper is to identify and present potential factors that would foster an enduring competitiveness regime for Australia's building and construction industry, charting directions for competitive industry policy and implementation. This aim builds, among other factors, on the notion that the potentialities of the information era have not been optimally explored and exploited by the local industry, despite the remoteness of Australia to the rest of the world. The relatively stable political atmosphere for over half a century, and the robust economy, human and natural capital, have either been ignored or squandered. It is envisaged that an articulation of a unique mix of the 'down-under' factors, will open lip the door of opportunity to building and construction industry, practitioners, associations and government, to better take advantage of the globalisation era, and strategically position themselves at the leading edge of the global market.