Measuring the technical competence of repeat public-sector clients

A broad based industry survey investigates whether repeat public sector construction clients are technically competent, measured by their in-house innovation performance. The study covered non-residential building and civil work in three Australian States – New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Data were collected via a large scale mail survey undertaken in 2004 which covered 38% of key construction organisations in the study population. Descriptive statistical methods are employed to give an indication of the relative level of technical competence held by repeat public sector clients compared to contractors, consultants and suppliers. Such competence is taken to be reflected in a number of innovation indicators. The results show a high level of technical competence held by repeat public sector clients. As the literature reports a relationship between technical competence and innovation leadership ability, this finding has positive implications in terms of industry development potential. This research has immediate benefits in giving the construction industry more confidence in the quality of leadership shown by government clients. It also provides the basis for further research examining the link between the technical competence of clients and industry perceptions of client leadership.