Ancient Thai battlefield strategic principles: Lessons for leadership qualities in construction project management

Abstract

Thailand is the only country in southeast Asia that has never been colonised by any Western power in the past. Most of the modern-day management concepts were derived, in the main, from the West. There is, however, much to be learned from Eastern concepts. This paper draws lessons from ancient Thai military strategies for construction project management with particular reference to leadership qualities. It establishes the basic principles of Thai battlefield strategies and correlates these principles with modern construction project management processes. Using the Delphi technique, the paper analyses how the project manager can enhance his leadership qualities through the ancient Thai art of war. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd and IPMA.