Modified Interaction Process Analysis as a Macroergonomic Method of Analyzing Communication Patterns in Construction

Abstract

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This article reviews methods for observing, collecting, and analyzing communication data among individuals and teams in the complex sociotechnical system of construction. Based on this review, and the results from a case study, one method is considered the most suitable method: interaction process analysis. Interaction process analysis is further modified for use within construction work operations. Subsequent to collecting and analyzing interaction data, practitioners can implement corrective actions to promote an environment of collaborative interaction among team members. While implementing collaboration is considered critical for the success of interdisciplinary teams, modified IPA will enable the practitioners to gather the baseline information before making any modifications to the team dynamics.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Construction projects are characterized by diverse personnel working together for short periods and then disbanding to work on other ventures. Considering the transient nature of construction projects and complex task interdependencies, project outcomes rely heavily on effective interactions among participants. Despite interaction being an essential aspect of construction projects, there is limited applied research in the field of interaction among construction project participants. Purpose: The dynamic and unpredictable nature of construction projects, along with the difficulty in collecting interaction data in naturalistic settings, are important challenges. Our objective was to identify the most suitable method for collecting interaction data among workers on construction projects (i.e., in their natural setting). Methods: The authors reviewed the research methods followed by other investigators to capture and analyze interaction in small groups. Subsequently, Bales' Interaction Process Analysis was adopted as the preferred protocol to collect and analyze interaction data. To adopt interaction process analysis for use in construction environments, the coding scheme was modified by introducing two new categories. Finally, a case study was conducted to examine application of the modified interaction process analysis. Results: Using the modified interaction process analysis, interaction data were collected from six different subcontractor coordination meetings during a construction project. Data were obtained from more than 300 minutes of meetings among construction participants in natural work settings. The collected data had more than 2000 “thought units.” Once the thought units were assigned an interaction process analysis code, this yielded a blueprint of the social interaction, which could be analyzed using frequency ratios in the different categories. Conclusion: Our focus was on adapting the existing interaction process analysis protocol so that interactions among the construction participants could be recorded, isolated, and analyzed at a ‘meso’ level. Data collected using the modified interaction process analysis can be used to conduct both quantitative and qualitative analyses to investigate the patterns of interaction among participants.