This is a book about the whole diverse range of firms that are found in the construction sector, about their decision-making and the economic environments in which they operate. The authors aim to provide a new and coherent perspective on these firms and the choices they have to make - both for their managers and for all who have a stake in these firms and their industry. This book offers some new and important perspectives for research and teaching about construction firms.

STEPHEN GRUNEBERG is a Lecturer on the Construction Management degree at the Bartlett School, University College London. His publications include Construction Economics: An Introduction, and Feasibility Studies in Construction (with D.Weight).

GRAHAM IVE is Senior Lecturer in the Economics of Construction at the Bartlett School, University College London. He is the author of a book on the Private Finance Initiative (1998) and an economic adviser to the Construction Industry Council.