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CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY:PROJECT MANAGERS’ VIEW
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
Today‘s construction projects become more complex in nature. The complex,relational and lengthy process of designing and building makes construction a process in which disputes are virtually ensured. Furthermore, the involvement of multidisciplinary in the construction project also leads toconflicts among the parties. It seems that conflict and disputes are inevitable to the construction industry especially when most of construction projects are facing with so many uncertainties.
A study by Kumara swamy&Yogeswaran provided a good reference of the common sources of construction disputes that are largely related to contractual matters, including variation, extension of time, payment, quality of technical specification, availability of information, administration and management, unrealistic client expectations and determination. In other research by (Kathleen, 2003a) highlighted conflicts may develop as a result of limited resources such as not enough time, money, labour, materials and/or equipment. Smithdescribes conflict and disputes as an endemic problem in the construction industry. Conflict may difficulties communications between individuals, breaks personal and professional relationships and reduces effectiveness.
Conflict produces tension and distracts team members from performing the task. According to Cheung &Suen, if dispute are not properly managed, they may cause project delays, undetermined team spirit, increase project costs and above all, damage continuing business relationships. Thus it is not surprising that many construction stakeholders still overwhelmingly view conflict as negative and something to be avoided or resolved as soon as possible. However, there are many authors have pointed out conflict is a phenomenon that may give rise not only to functional but also dysfunctional effects on individuals, groups and organizations. As today‘s claims and disputes keep increasing, the construction industry struggles to find ways to equitably and economically to resolve them. According to Shin, managing disputes should become a part of normal project management during project operation because disputes in construction projects are common place and the resolution need to occur immediately on the project site.
No matter how strategic you are in attempting to resolve a difference of opinion with another person, as long as it is framed as a conflict and viewed by at least one of you in terms of one person being “right” and the other as “wrong” no real progress is made in the relationship. A battle will be won, but a war will rage on. The presence of right/wrong dynamics in a relationship indicates a power struggle and not the process of co-creation by two equally respected partners. Whether deciding what to have for dinner, when and how to express shared intimacy or any other decision that affects both partners, ultimately it is the decision making process rather than the decision itself that speaks volumes about the quality of consciousness being expressed in the relationship.
Conflict occurs inevitably, but preparing to deal with it in a rational, positive manner can save you from further disruption. Conflict occurs when people have different opinions, lack respect for each other or simply misunderstand intentions. Resolving conflict involves communicating effectively and reaching a compromise. Ignoring dissension eventually takes its toll both mentally and physically. Positive conflict resolution in a team results in better long-term team dynamics.
This paper significantly overview the conflict resolution in construction industry which is hoped to give clearer scenario to all project teams. Conflict would arise due to behavioral problems such as poor communication among project team, multicultural team problem and reluctant to check for constructability, clarity and completeness of project. Besides that, conflict also arises due to the factors of contractual problem which includes delay interim payment from client, client fails to respond in timely manner, application of extension of time and improper project schedules. Other than that, contractor’s quality of work, error of pricing or costing, late instructions from architect or engineer also considered as the factors of conflict which is due to technical problems. This paper was hoped to be a useful reference to the project team in managing conflicts for future construction projects.
1.4 Objectives of the study
1. To know if conflicts can be resolved in Nigerian construction industries.
2. To ascertain the relationship between conflict resolution and construction industries in Nigeria
1.5 Research questions
1. Can conflicts be resolved in Nigerian construction industries?
2. What relationship exists between conflict resolution and construction industries in Nigeria?
1.6 Research hypothesesHo: Conflicts cannot be resolved in Nigerian construction industries.
Hi:Conflicts can be resolved in Nigerian construction industries.
Ho: There is no significant relationship between conflict resolution and construction industriesin Nigeria.
Hi: There is a significant relationship between conflict resolution and construction industriesin Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations of the study
The study was with constrained, some of these constraints are:
- Finance: It was no doubt a great limited factor for this project considering the worldwide economic recession and the particular financial squeeze within the country. All these combined together or bear on me.
- Time Limit: There is also limited amount of time in the course of investigation. This is based on the fact that the researcher will have other task to perform, these includesassignments in the school, going for lectures, preparation for test, examination and others to mention but a few.
Based on these the project covers those areas that are very crucial to the problems under investigation.
1.8 Scope of the study
The study is restricted to conflict resolution in Nigerian construction industries; from project managers’ view. Julius Berger was used as the case study for this research.
1.9 Definition of terms
ConflictResolution:Is the process by which two or more parties engaged in a disagreement, dispute or debate to reach an agreement resolving it.
Construction Industry:The branch of manufacture and trade based on the building, maintaining, and repairing structures.
Project Manager:The person in overall charge of the planning and execution of a particular project
REFERENCES
McManamy, R. (1994). Indusrty pounds away at disputes. Engineering news record, 24,3.
Whitfield, J. (1994). Conflicts in construction, avoiding, managing and resolving.London: Macmillan Press.
Kumaraswamy, M., &Yogeswaran, K. (1998). Significant souces of construction claims. International Construction Law Review, 15 (1), 144-160.
Kathleen, M. J. H. (2003). Conflicts between Owner and Contractors : Proposed Intervention Process. Journal of Management in Engineering, ASCE (July 2003),121-124.
Smith, M. (1992).Facing up to conflict in construction. Paper presented at the First international conference on construction conflict: management and resolution, Manchester.
Hackman, J. R., & Morris, C. G. (1975). Group task, group interaction process, and group performance effectiveness: a review and proposed integration (Vol. 8). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Cheung, S. O., &Suen, C. H. (2002).A multi-attribute utility model for disputes resolution strategy selection Construction Management Economy, 20, 557-568. [9] Pondy, L. R. (1967). Organizational conflict. Administrative Science Quarterly, 12(2), 296-320.
Arditi, D., &Pulket, T. (2005).Predicting the outcome of construction litigation using boosted decision trees.Journal of Computing In Civil Engineering © ASCE, 387-393.
Shin, K.-C.K. (2000).Identification of critical disputes characteristic (cdcs) during construction project operations.Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia.
Brown, H., & A., M. (1993).ADR Principles and Practice. London: Sweet and Maxwell.
Vorster, M. C. (1993). Dispute prevention and resolution. Austin, Texas: Construction Industry Institute (CII).