Systematic Representation of Relationship Quality in Conflict and Dispute: for Construction Projects

Main Article Content

Mostafa Babaeian Jelodar
Tak Wing Yiu
Suzanne Wilkinson

Abstract

The construction industry needs to move towards more relational procurement procedures to reduce extensive losses of value and avoid conflicts and disputes. Despite this, the actual conceptualization and assessment of relationships during conflict and dispute incidents seem to be neglected. Via a review of literature, relationship quality is suggested as a systematic framework for construction projects. General system theory is applied and a framework consistent of four layers respectively labelled as triggering, antecedent, moderation and outcome is suggested. Two different case studies are undertaken to represent the systematic framework; which verifies that changes in contracting circumstances and built environment culture can affect the identified layers.

Through system reliability theories a fault tree is derived to represent a systematic framework of relationship quality. The combinations of components, causes, and events for two case studies are mapped out through fault tree. By analysing the fault tree the combination of events that lead to relationship deterioration may be identified. Consequently the progression of simple events into failure is formulized and probabilities allocated. Accordingly the importance and the contribution of these events to failure become accessible. The ability to have such indications about relationship quality may help increase performance as well as sustainable procurement. 

Paper Type: Research article

Article Details

How to Cite
Babaeian Jelodar, M., Wing Yiu, T., & Wilkinson, S. (2015). Systematic Representation of Relationship Quality in Conflict and Dispute: for Construction Projects. Construction Economics and Building, 15(1), 89-103. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v15i1.4281
Section
Articles (Peer reviewed)
Author Biographies

Mostafa Babaeian Jelodar, University of Auckland

PhD Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

Tak Wing Yiu, University of Auckland

Senior lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental, Faculty of Engineering

Suzanne Wilkinson, University of Auckland,

Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental, Faculty of Engineering