Ju, Q; Zheng, R; Liu, H and Shen, Z (2025) Exploring the effect of interface management on project success in complex capital projects: The moderating role of relational capital. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(8): 04025104, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The recognition of the potential for interface management (IM) to enhance project success is widespread, both in academic literature and among industry professionals. The claim, however, lacks substantial empirical evidence to support its validity. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between IM and project success in complex capital projects from the perspective of relational capital. First, a comprehensive theoretical model is established to map the direct impact of IM on project success and the mediating role of relational capital. Second, based on a comprehensive literature review and in-depth expert interviews, a total of 152 questionnaire surveys on IM and project success were collected in China. The measurement of IM was conducted from three dimensions by correlation and factor analyses, namely, responsibility, time-space, and technical interface management. Finally, the partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was employed to empirically examine the positive impact of IM on project success and explore the moderating effect of relational capital. The results revealed that IM positively affects project success in complex capital projects, and this effect is achieved by fostering relationship capital among project stakeholders. The findings confirm that relational capital is an important perspective to understand how IM impact project success. The research provides a holistic understanding of the relationship between IM and project success, thus contributing to project management theoretically and practically.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | interface management; partial least-squares structural equation modeling; project success; relational capital |
| Index terms: | capital project, factor analysis, dimension, project management, project success, validity, questionnaire, evidence, interface management, project stakeholder, China, interview, literature review, structural equation modelling, survey |
| Subjects: | evaluation and assessment methods, strategic project management, Geography, business, data collection methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, data analysis and analytics, project management theory and practice, sociology, statistical analysis |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Research Practice, Stakeholder Management, Health and Safety, Project Management, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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