Unveiling and Evaluating the Collaboration in Engineering Projects through a Two-Layer Information Collaboration Network Model

Abstract

Engineering projects necessitate efficient and resilient collaboration. Enhancing collaboration requires designing and optimizing information interactions. Current methodologies lack a processual and relational lens; also, they seldom emphasize the significance of information. This study focused on information collaboration (IC) in engineering projects. We devised an integrated framework with an information perspective and a network perspective. The framework comprises (1) a two-layer information collaboration network model, integrating information demands and flows; (2) network analysis across different project levels, detecting stakeholder roles in collaboration, revealing unevenly distributed collaboration configurations, and presenting overall collaboration patterns; and (3) a novel assessment method for collaboration performance considering the efficiency and resilience of IC. The framework’s practicality was validated through a large-scale international airport project. It offers strategies for enhancing collaboration via network interventions and information optimization. Findings promote the recognition of collaboration, clarify the mechanism between information demands and flows, and improve collaboration performance. It also paves the way for project resilience management.