The Construction Economics Research Network (CERN) draws together leading economists and social scientists engaged in research related to the construction industry. Bi-annual meetings provide a forum for presentation of ongoing construction research and direct collaboration. The construction industry provides several challenges for economic and sociological research including mobile and transient work sites; small contracting companies; intermittent employment and high levels of self-employment; complex contracting relationships and organization of work; and limited national data on productivity. Improved knowledge of labor and institutional economics are critical if we are to better understand what motivates change.