Contract communication in the landscape industry and its effect on quality : A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University

Abstract

Contract implementation problems are common within the New Zealand landscape industry. Often a designer will arrive on site to find that the working documents have not been followed in the way intended, resulting in either incorrect placement of elements, poor quality or a mixture of the two. This can cause contractual disputes and delay project completion. The principles of Relevance Theory (Sperber and Wilson 1986) are applied to the landscape industry to explain contract communication, its success and its failure. Relevance theory makes predictions about modes of communication, mutual assumptions and the context of communication which explain how designers and contractors interpret information presented to them. Based on a series of depth interviews, some contract problems are shown to be caused by misunderstanding or misinterpretation of plans and specifications. Projects involving a designer and contractor who do not hold mutual assumptions about the work involved and quality required are less likely to be accomplished satisfactorily. Projects where strong mutual assumptions exist between designer and contractor are more likely to be successful. Terminology can be interpreted in different ways. On-site communication and inspection is important in helping to develop mutual assumptions. Verbal and non-verbal communication is examined. Successful contract communication is shown to make use of many forms of communication.