Factors affecting the development of engineering consulting firms

Abstract

In construction industry, the need and significance of well developed engineering consulting firms cannot be overemphasized. There are several factors that affect the development of design firms and if these factors are identified, measures can be taken to upgrade the engineering consulting firms. The present study concerns isolating the key factors that affect the development of engineering and consulting firms in Saudi Arabia based on the study carried out in 2003–2004. A hierarchical model of development factors was developed to build a questionnaire based on Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Twenty (20) experts with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience were consulted. Data collected by means of personal interviews was analyzed with “Expert Choice 2000”, software based on AHP. The research concluded that, the Clients and Company's resources are the important areas that affect development and Government factors, is the area which is passive towards development. Client satisfaction, Marketing, Growth of key industries, Size and qualification of human group, and Type of client are the important development factors for E/C firms. In order to raise the standards and develop the capabilities of engineering firms, a conducive environment has to be created wherein these factors coordinate among themselves to align in the direction of development.