Title: Effectiveness of the organisational structure of construction firms in Saudi Arabia

Authors: Adel S. Al-Dosary, Sadi A. Assaf, Ali S. Aldakhil

Addresses: KFUPM Box 3 684, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia. ' KFUPM Box # 680, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia. ' KFUPM Box # 680, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: A survey of 43 medium and large Saudi contractors was conducted to study the effectiveness of their organisational structures. The study revealed that a functional structure is appropriate for contractors with a small business size, a project structure is appropriate for those with a medium business size and a matrix structure is appropriate for those with a large business size. The study also suggests that the structure design is probably contributing to serious problems for some of the effectiveness factors. The functional structure users should therefore make it easy to get the skills needed to progress, to give employees flexibility over the pace of their work, to be flexible to adapt to most changes and to share information openly. Furthermore, the study recommends that the project structure users redesign their structure to eliminate boundaries between departments, and that the matrix structure users give employees flexibility over the pace of their work.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; organisational structure; construction industry; effectiveness; structural design; flexibility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLIC.2009.027915

International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 2009 Vol.6 No.4, pp.380 - 401

Published online: 16 Aug 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article