Abstract
M.B.A.
This research project is concerned with the behavioural changes of contract managers while working on 'remote' project sites. While working on such a project, the researcher became aware that the behaviour of certain contract managers changed over the course of the project, and that this behaviour was not the same as they demonstrated when at home or in the office environment. In many instances these behavioural changes were of a negative nature, the consequences of which often resulted in high costs being incurred by both the firm, in terms of productivity, and the individuals, physically and emotionally.
The researcher explores a number of the most notable changes that were observed on site, and then undertakes research, by way of an ethnographic study, to determine whether these observations are valid in terms of being common to other contract managers on other remote sites.
The research identified that a number of behavioural changes were indeed valid and that certain factors of concern to the majority of contract managers, acted as stressors that affected or influenced their behaviour. The research further confirms that both individual factors, such as personality and attitudes, as well as situational factors combine to influence the degree of behavioural change that an individual exhibits.
In light of the findings, the researcher then offers a number of recommendations that senior management can implement to aid in restricting certain negative behavioural changes.