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MOHAMED SALEM OBAID ALDHAHERI
Department of Business Administration
College of Business and Economics
Title
Effectiveness of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Major Projects in Abu Dhabi’s Oil a Gas
Industry: End-user Perspective.
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Maqsood Ahmad Sandhu
Defense Date
22 May 2016
Abstract
Even though project management discipline is gearing towards the improvement of project effectiveness, traditional
project management is responding slowly due to either false preconceptions or ineffective communication among
project parties. A research study is needed to contribute to knowledge and practice on the effectiveness of Engineering,
Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracting strategy and consequently increase the chance of achieving product
success at the site level. The objective of the research presented herein is to assess the effectiveness of EPC
contracting strategy in meeting product objectives, from the end-user’s perspective. Required data are collected
using an online survey questionnaire targeting end-users working in six major oil and gas projects in Abu Dhabi. The
questionnaire data are analysed using the structural equation modeling (SEM) statistical technique. Research findings
reveal statistical significant correlations between the “effectiveness” concept and its respective factors. Being the first
known research evaluating the influence of both “end-user’s engagement” and “alignment of objectives” criteria on
project effectiveness, it provides several contributions to literature and practice. These contributions are particularly
illustrated as 1) the development of a conceptual measurement model for the “effectiveness” phenomenal concept,
which could be applicable to researchers interested in examining such concept, 2) the identification of possible factors
shaping the conceptual domain of “end-user’s engagement” and “alignment of objectives” criteria in the oil and
gas industry, 3) the operationalization of the conceptual measurement model based on measurement instruments
verified by both literature and industry experts, and 4) the assessment of the strengths of influence of the causal
factors on the effectiveness of EPC as well as the statistical significance of these relationships.
Dissertation