Ünsal Altuncan, I and Tanyer, A M (2018) Context-dependent construction conflict management performance analysis based on competency theory. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(12): 04018112, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Construction project environments are shaped by uncertainty and complexity; therefore, conflict situations that lead to time and cost overruns are rather frequent. However, no empirical studies conducted so far have analyzed conflict management performances of individuals on a context-dependent basis. This paper proposes a performance assessment methodology for conflict management that integrates two different approaches from other disciplines: hypothetical situations and competency theory. The approach analyzes managers' performances in the exact same conflict cases through an after-scenario questionnaire based on their preferences toward candidate management scenarios, each of which reflects one of the required competencies for effective conflict management. Considering the context-dependent characteristics of the conflict phenomenon, the implementation of the methodology within this paper's context is confined to the construction industry. The methodology was implemented among 82 construction project managers through an after-scenario questionnaire, and three random participants' conflict management performances were analyzed. Based on a novel construction conflict management performance assessment methodology, this research can offer two contributions to the body of construction conflict management knowledge. First, it has revealed the lack of a generic hierarchy in terms of the competencies required. Second, the results confirmed that construction managers' conflict management performances may vary despite identical years of experience and managerial positions held.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | competency theory; conflict management; construction conflict; performance analysis |
| Index terms: | cost overrun, construction industry, implementation, required competency, performance assessment, empirical study, performance analysis, manager, conflict management, preference, complexity, methodology, construction project, construction manager, questionnaire |
| Subjects: | practitioner, profession, data collection methods, contractual arrangements, data analysis and analytics, financial and cost management, production management, professional development, research methods, decision-making and reasoning, industry analysis, systems engineering, conflict resolution, assessment methods |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Cost Management, Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here