Journal
ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECTURAL MANAGEMENT
Volume 30, Issue 5, Pages 1932-1950Publisher
EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
DOI: 10.1108/ECAM-11-2019-0651
Keywords
Change management; Conflict management; Change occurrence; Construction projects
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This study proposes a framework for conflict management based on prediction models, and conducts manageability analysis of conflicts in construction projects. The results show that identifying weaknesses in decision-making patterns and organizational culture is the most effective measure to prevent conflicts.
Purpose Although several studies have aimed to present models to predict conflict outcomes, fewer methods have been developed to analyze conflict manageability and provide management strategies based on prediction models. This research pitches into the manageability analysis of conflicts occur during the implementation of a proposed change in construction projects. In this way, a framework has been developed by defining two parameters: the predictability index and the preventability index. Design/methodology/approach Within this framework, the predictability index determines how many outcomes of the prediction model can be used for conflict management based on the degree of clarity. The preventability index demonstrates how preventive measures for conflict management can be identified. Eventually, three preventive measures can be determined: (1) identifying weaknesses of decision-making patterns and organizational culture, (2) identifying events that may be prevented using soft skills and (3) identifying differences among similar change-implementation scenarios and evaluating causes of the differences. To demonstrate the capabilities of proposed framework, a practical example has been analyzed. Findings The results show that the behavior of the project parties can be psychologically analyzed, and psychological conflicts can be distinguished from technical conflicts. Moreover, identifying the weaknesses of parties' decision-making patterns and their organizational culture is the most effective measure to prevent the conflicts. Originality/value This research contributes to the construction body of knowledge by quantifying the predictability and preventability of conflicts between the project parties in a construction project based on: (1) the certainty level of the conflict occurrence and (2) the level of alignment between predicted outcomes of the conflict occurrence and the issued change request and/or change order.
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