Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Safety Design Management Processes to Mitigate Design Errors Hernan Guadalupe Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Architectural Engineering Commons, Business Commons, and the Civil Engineering Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Hernán Guadalupe has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. David Blum, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Marilyn Simon, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Kenneth Gossett, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Safety Design Management Processes to Mitigate Design Errors by Hernán Guadalupe MEng, University of Maryland, College Park, 2017 BEng, Stevens Institute of Technology, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University December 2020 Abstract Some organizations lack processes to mitigate design errors that may result in potential accidents or loss of life during building construction. Managers are concerned about preventing injuries and accidents, which may promote safer working conditions during construction. Grounded in the transformation-flow-value theory of production, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore safety design management processes that managers use to mitigate errors. The participants included 7 members from 1 design firm with business operations in the United States northeastern region. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company document reviews. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-phase, where 5 themes emerged: developing standardized processes and procedures, collaboration and information sharing, active senior management involvement, allocating technical design experts, and leveraging technology implementation. The key recommendation for building design managers is to develop and implement a systemic and systematic approach to establish detailed communication protocols to improve the design management processes to mitigate design errors. The implications for positive social change include promoting safer and healthier working environments to protect workers' well-being and increase community residents' living standards. Safety Design Management Processes to Mitigate Design Errors by Hernán Guadalupe MEng, University of Maryland, College Park, 2017 BEng, Stevens Institute of Technology, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University December 2020 Dedication First and foremost, all thanks and praises are due to Allah, alone; without Him, nothing is possible. I thank Him for giving me the courage, strength, and patience to complete my study. I dedicate this study to my family. To my beautiful and supportive wife, Wendy, thank you for your unconditional love, patience, understanding, and motivation. I love you with all my heart and soul. To my children, Uthman, Muhammad, Mariam, Aasia, Ali, and Omar, thank you for being my why. I did this with the hopes of being an excellent example to follow and inspire you all to reach your dreams. Papi did this for you. To my loving parents and beloved brother, Walter, Martha, and Diego, thank you for your love and support; I am who I am because of you all. Finally, to my late grandmother, María Rebecca, my goal was to finish and have you with me as I walked across the stage, but God had another plan. Nonetheless, I will carry on your legacy forever. I hope I made you proud of me once more. Te quiero con todo mi corazon, Abuelita. Acknowledgments I would like to express my utmost gratitude to my committee members, classmates, and the Walden community for their selflessness and support throughout my DBA journey. I would like to especially thank my chair, Dr. David Blum, for his patience, honesty, guidance, insight, and support during my doctoral study. Without your help, I would indeed have been lost. I also thank my second committee member, Dr. Marilyn Simon, and URR, Dr. Ken Gossett, for their valuable contributions and guidance on my study. Table of Contents Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................2 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................4 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................4 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................5 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................5 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................7 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 7 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 7 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 7 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................8 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 8 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................... 8 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ................................................9 Transformation-Flow-Value Theory of Production .............................................. 10 TFV Theory Concepts........................................................................................... 11 Contrasting and Complementary Theories ........................................................... 22 Transformation-Flow-Value Theory and Mitigating Design Errors ..................... 27 i An Overview of Building Construction ................................................................ 35 Transition .....................................................................................................................43 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................44 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................44 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................44 Participants ...................................................................................................................46 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................48 Research Method .................................................................................................. 48 Research Design.................................................................................................... 49 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................51 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................54 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................56 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................59 Data Organization Techniques .....................................................................................61 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................63 Methodological Triangulation .............................................................................. 63 Yin’s 5 Step Data Analysis Model........................................................................ 63 Codification Software and Theme Identification .................................................. 65 Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................66