Tian, S; Abdalla, A; Tang, Y; Zhang, G and Cao, X (2026) Construction disputes: A systematic review of definitions, antecedents, and resolutions. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(5), pp. 857-874. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Although considerable research has been conducted on the definitions, antecedents, and resolution methods of construction disputes, these studies are often fragmented and lack comprehensive integration. This study addresses this gap by providing a systematic literature review, consolidating research on construction disputes' themes to offer a cohesive understanding and a foundation for future research. A total of 123 eligible articles were obtained through three stages of literature screening. These articles were thematically analyzed to identify and understand the three main themes of construction disputes. CiteSpace software was used to map knowledge and analyze influential scholars, keywords, theories, and research methods. The literature has not reached a consensus on the definition of construction disputes. The paper summarizes the main antecedents of construction disputes and common dispute resolution methods. Sai On Cheung is considered to be the most influential scholar in the field. 'Dispute resolution' is the keyword most closely related to construction disputes. Finally, future research methodologies and directions for research in the field of construction disputes are established to promote the development of research in this area.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction disputes; construction industry; dispute resolution; systematic literature review |
| Index terms: | construction industry, systematic literature review, research methodology, resolution, screening, construction dispute, integration, dispute |
| Subjects: | research evaluation and metrics, organizational analysis, industry analysis, management, dispute resolution, conflict resolution, research design and methodology |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Stakeholder Management, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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