Understanding the Role of <i>Jianli</i> in China: Practice Perspective

Abstract

Originating in the West, professional construction management was introduced in China as the Jianli system. However, despite the wide adoption of professional construction management practices by international organizations in the construction industry, scant research has been conducted to examine empirically the formation of the professional’s role from a practice perspective in the context of deprofessionalization. Empirical studies on the role of Jianli in the Chinese construction industry have been inadequate. Accordingly, this study reveals the social network interactions, perceptions of Jianli, and different work values that cause Jianli practice to deviate from its defined role. The results present four aspects affecting the role of Jianli professionals as well as other professionals in the construction industry: relational and positional power, ways of communicating, qualifications, and visibility. Our findings provide empirical insights into the reasons that deprofessionalization weakens professionalism. The selected research method has created a junction of situational context, extensive societal discourse on professionalism, and empirical data.