Effect of stakeholder’s conflicts on project constraints in construction industry

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to highlight the most significant project constraints and factors that cause stakeholder’s conflicts. Additionally, the effect of stakeholder’s conflicts on project constraints in construction industry is investigated. For this purpose, a statistical model was developed and a questionnaire survey was carried out from 170 industry professionals. Ordinal regression analysis technique was used for model development. The results show that all project constraints are affected by stakeholder’s conflicts in construction industry. Factors that cause stakeholder conflicts indicate a positive relationship with cost, time and resources used in projects. This means that any increase or decrease in the effect of stakeholder’s conflicts will directly influence these three project constraints. Similarly, a negative relationship was observed between stakeholder’s conflicts and quality, workforce productivity, protection of environment and safety regulations in construction industry, indicating that increase in the effect of stakeholder’s conflicts will decrease these four project constraints and vice versa. The results for cumulative ordinal regression model highlight that lack of communication, poor quality of completed works and change orders and rework have intense effects on project constraints collectively. The contribution of this research in the body of knowledge is in the light that a small number of studies have examined the emergence of project constraints in developing countries, and even more, its relationship with stakeholder’s conflicts in construction industry is limited. This research highlights the most significant project constraints and factors that result stakeholder’s conflicts in construction industry. Therefore, this study adds to the existing body of knowledge by developing ordinal regression models that will help decision makers and top management to control this enigma of stakeholder conflicts in construction industry.