Quality of conflict management in construction project context: Conceptualization, scale development, and validation

Abstract

Purpose

A growing number of studies have become focused on managing conflict more effectively and comprehensively in the construction industry. However, little research has aimed to operationalize all the facets related to the quality of conflict management that are necessary in governing conflict management. The purpose of this article is to propose a new model measuring the quality of conflict management in a construction project context that is not only inclusive but also practical.

Design/methodology/approach

To address this research gap, the authors used the measurement theory to investigate a series of studies, and then, developed a scale to operationalize the concept of quality of conflict management in a project context.

Findings

The findings show five dimensions to the quality of conflict management: satisfactory resolution outcome, integrated resolution process, conflict prevention, fairness perception, and post-conflict effect.

Originality/value

The research findings contribute to conflict management theory by providing the conceptualization and operationalization of conflict management quality. Practitioners will benefit from this article by understanding effective and efficient ways of managing conflicts in construction projects.

Citation

Zhu, F., Wang, L., Yu, M. and Yang, X. (2020), "Quality of conflict management in construction project context: Conceptualization, scale development, and validation", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 1191-1211. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-09-2019-0497