Integration in the construction process: The way of starting developing countries?

When contractors are working at the construction of projects in developing countries, several problems occur. For example: Are there adequate governmental regulations? Do local companies have the needed experiences and capacities? Can own employees work together with local people? How is education? It may be clear that problems can partly be solved by creating enough work-and financial capacity for realizing the project, and also by understanding the differences in cultural backgrounds. But that seems not enough. Important is that the whole “mixture” of these items results in a “well-oiled” construction-process, to reach the usually set goal: Realizing a building of good quality, with reduction of construction-time and -cost. In this paper some of the mentioned aspects are being described, illustrated with an example of a housing-project in the developing area of the former East-Germany. This project has been realized by using integration of activities by a (Dutch) contractor. It was clear, that especially this integration was leading to success, while the construction-organization could be assembled as effective and efficient as possible. Education and motivation of the (local) employees according the wished working-methods and company-standards seemed one of the most important keys to this integration-process.