Methodology | Procurement Methodol

Research Methodology

Approached

This research adopts a qualitative approach to investigate how different procurement methods affect the distribution of risk in infrastructure projects. It prioritises the perspectives and lived experiences of professionals directly involved in procurement decisions, drawing on their contextual knowledge to better understand the realities of infrastructure delivery (Creswell & Poth, 2016; Patton, 2014). A qualitative methodology is well-suited for unpacking the complex interplay between human behaviour, organisational systems, and contract structures that collectively shape procurement practices and risk management strategies (Bazeley & Jackson, 2013).

A multiple case study design has been adopted to enable a detailed and comparative investigation of diverse procurement models and their influence on risk distribution in infrastructure projects. This approach is particularly suitable for examining complex, context-dependent phenomena where the boundaries between the intervention and its environment are blurred (Yin, 2009). Case study research allows for the collection of rich, multi-dimensional data that reflects real-world conditions, making it highly applicable to studies of procurement, which are shaped by both formal contracts and informal organisational dynamics.

The case studies will be supported by semi-structured interviews, allowing for the exploration of stakeholder experiences and perceptions within each procurement context. By examining multiple infrastructure projects that utilise distinct procurement methods—such as Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design and Build (D&B), Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), Project Alliancing, and Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs)—the study aims to facilitate a nuanced, cross-case comparison.

Each case will be examined through the lens of procurement principles relating to relational vs transactional contracting, the nature of the purchase, contract form, risk allocation, and organisational capability. This will allow the study to evaluate how risk is distributed, managed, and perceived by various stakeholders in different procurement settings. Moreover, the multiple case approach supports cross-case synthesis, helping to identify recurring patterns or divergences across procurement models and project contexts. This enhances the explanatory power of the research and supports the development of more context-sensitive procurement guidelines.

Thematic analysis was used to interpret the qualitative data collected from interviews and documents. This analytical method was well suited to identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns (themes) within the data (Braun & Clarke, 2006).

Both deductive coding, based on procurement and risk management theory, and inductive coding, emerging directly from the data, were applied. NVivo software supported data management and helped maintain a clear audit trail throughout the analysis (Bazeley & Jackson, 2013).

Research Background

Literature Review

Data Collection: Document Analysis & Semi-structured Interviews

Data Analysis

Findings and Interpretation

Participants were recruited using purposive sampling, targeting professionals with the specific knowledge and experience required to address the research questions. The selection criteria were as follows:

They were working professionals in the infrastructure sector, particularly in engineering, project management, or procurement-related roles.
They had at least three years of experience in infrastructure delivery.
They were over 22 years of age.
They had been involved in projects using one or more procurement methodologies of interest (DBB, D&B, ECI, Alliancing, PPPs).
They had direct experience with procurement processes or risk allocation in infrastructure delivery.

Professionals were sourced from both public and private sector organisations to ensure diversity in perspectives and institutional contexts. Two participants were recruited for each procurement method, with representation from both the buyer (client or public agency) and the seller (contractor or service provider) perspectives. This balanced sampling strategy captured a more comprehensive understanding of how risk was perceived, allocated, and managed from both sides of the procurement relationship. Recruitment was conducted through professional networks, referrals, LinkedIn outreach, and industry-specific forums. Snowball sampling was also used, whereby initial participants referred others within their networks who met the inclusion criteria (Etikan et al., 2016).

This recruitment strategy ensured the participation of individuals with meaningful engagement in procurement and risk management processes, thereby enhancing the relevance and credibility of the findings.