Factors of Conflict in Construction Industry: A Literature Review

Conflict seems to be very synonym with construction projects and giving the impressions of problems includes in increasing project cost, project delays, reduce productivity, lost of profit or damage in business relationships. The main goal of this paper is to overview the factors of conflict in construction industry. The study highlighted three (3) types of conflict factors which are conflict factors due to behavioral problems, contractual problems and technical problems. Factors of conflict due to behavioral factors includes reluctant to check for constructability, clarity and completeness and poor communication among project team. Meanwhile the factors of conflict which is due to contractual problems are such as late giving of possession, delay interim payment from client and unclear of contractual terms. Whereas, contractor fails to proceed in a competent manner and late instructions from architect or engineer are the factors of conflict which arise due to technical problems. This paper was hoped to be guidance for conflict management in future construction projects. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Universiti Teknologi Mara Perak and Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM).