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… and one man in his time plays many parts
(William Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 2 Scene 7)
A Psychodynamic Approach to Implementing
Contract Management in a Complex
Organization
A thesis submitted in (partial) fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of
Professional Doctorate in Organization
Stuart James Strachan
Grad Dip Maintenance Management (Tero)
Master Applied Science (Innovation and Service Management)
College of Business
RMIT University
March 2013
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Declaration
I certify that except where due acknowledgment has been made, the work is that of the
author alone; the work has not been submitted previously, in whole or in part, to qualify for
any other academic award; the content of the thesis is the result of work which has been
carried out since the official commencement date of the approved research program; any
editorial work, paid or unpaid, carried out by a third party is acknowledged; and, ethics
procedures and guidelines have been followed.
Stuart Strachan
18 March 2013
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Professor Susan Long, my principal supervisor, for her support and
encouragement that has taken place during the entirety of my candidature. Without her
support, particularly in latter years, I would not have completed this work. Most certainly I
would not have raised my level of knowledge in this field as quickly and effectively as has
occurred.
Susan, despite some health issues, took on a more demanding supervision than one would
normally expect. I had tried this final lap several times since the 2009 bushfires and it had
just not worked. My ability to focus was lost, I was angry, darting from pillar to post and I had
little tolerance for those who needed to work through their own troubles and anxieties. I am
still not back to my former ability as I believe it was, but at least the thought processes are
still there, just a lot slower and fragmented. Susan helped me to maintain sufficient continuity
to be able to analyze my little bites at the elephant and eventually form them into a meal! My
source of calm, the farm, had to be put right before anything else could even start. It was that
important to the anxieties I faced.
I would also like to thank Dr Peter Bryar who quietly supported me through my Masters
degree, encouraged me to consider this degree, and then regularly met to ensure that my
completion of the work was never far from my mind’s eye. Without Peter’s quiet counsel
during some quite torrid times, I may not have completed the work.
During the time I was employed by RMIT University it was both supportive and helpful in
providing a vehicle for the research. There were many staff who provided various pieces of
information throughout the research and to whom I am extremely grateful for their
contributions. Also for their less formal discussions during which they imparted suggestions
which I may follow to further the research at the time.
My thanks also to Bryan Waters and his employer Lee Hecht Harrison for facilitating the
engagement of a consultant to undertake the role analysis sessions.
I also wish to thank the members of our doctoral study group for their support and comments
on my work. Particularly I would like to thank Janelle who despite not being physically
present with me during the latter stages of my candidature provided the necessary inspiration
to bring what was in my head onto paper. My doctoral cohort provided more inspiration than I
think they, or the university, could understand. I found the weekly sessions to be very helpful.
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As I tried to overcome the, somewhat selfish, ‘what had happened to me’ I would reflect on
the turmoil in others lives as they studied, the woman of a similar vintage to myself who
struggled with the difficulties of dyslexia, then experienced the tragic death of her daughter
during her doctoral journey. She completed her candidature a couple of years ago - how
inspiring. Then another in the cohort whose wife died from a debilitating disease. I believe he
is still grafting at his work - a strong man. A key part of my determination to complete was
when I read in Janelle’s thesis:
I would particularly like to thank Helen and Stuart, my original and enduring doctoral
cohort. It made it easier knowing there were others going through the same pain at
the same time.
I could not believe that I had been noticed, let alone made it easier for someone else! Clearly
I was not alone and this work could be done. Thank you Janelle, I am humbled.
Then Dr Wendy Harding who patiently worked me through re-commencing my candidature
and caused me to remember Dave’s exhortation for most problem solving – ‘Its like eating an
elephant! It starts with the first bite’. Except that he didn’t realize that the anxiety of the first,
second and all the rest of the bites must be assuaged each time to reach the end.
Dr Claire Davison deserves thanks for making formatting of the final stages of this thesis
sound so simple and eased that burden for me.
I would also like to thank all the people who were part of the interview and role analysis
groups. They were a mix of RMIT University Staff, RMIT Council and contractors to RMIT.
Without their input this research could not have been undertaken. Also Himadri Potter who
facilitated the role analysis exercise and pointed out some aspects to which his psychology
background perhaps attuned him to recognize.
Throughout my career, certainly since the mid 1970’s, I have been on a quest to make
organizations with which I am involved more effective and efficient. This has involved making
changes, some subtle, some more akin to a sledge hammer. I have been influenced by a
myriad of supervisors, managers, subordinates and associates who have contributed to my
knowledge and experience. Some very clearly respected my ideas while others clearly
considered me to be somewhat ‘whacky’. Nevertheless I owe all of them a debt of gratitude
for sending me on this quest for organizational improvement.
Finally, my family.
My father influenced me to question the status quo and achieve the best in the most simple
way possible. If it was getting too complicated or expensive it was probably the wrong way!
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My mother always urged me to do the best, this didn’t always happen but she was always
there to offer encouragement even when I knew it was not deserved.
My wife and children have also been supportive even though they have not fully understood
the need for me to complete this journey. Their acceptance of my withdrawal to focus on
thinking and writing has been much appreciated.
