Kunkcu, H; Koc, K and Gurgun, A P (2026) Unveiling communication quality in the construction industry: A multilevel evaluation of project, group, and individual outcomes. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(2): 04025259, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Confronted with the multifaceted risks associated with the construction industry, communication quality is considered as an indispensable need for improving project success. Past research on communication in construction has made significant progress; however, existing literature lacks a multilevel framework that captures factors influencing construction employees' communication quality across a three-level-hierarchy: (1) project level (top), (2) group level (medium), and (3) individual level (bottom). The present study addresses this gap by developing a conceptual model showing the effects of operational hierarchic levels (i.e., project, group, and individual levels) on communication quality, as well as including project complexity as a moderating variable. Using the data collected from 447 construction professionals, structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis uncovers the role of exploring different perspectives at project level and shared vision at individual level in maintaining high-quality communication among project teams. The results of the moderation analysis reveal that project complexity has an interaction effect with team diversity and shared vision, which also influences communication quality. This study provides valuable insights into communication in construction, aiding practitioners to improve their communication performance and develop effective communication strategies. The findings contribute to the understanding of significant contextual and individual factors by proposing a model that detects project's process of reflection and exploration (project level), practitioners' varying cultural and professional backgrounds (group level), and their personal innovative and collective acts (individual level), underpinning their importance in ensuring the quality of communication.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication; construction projects; knowledge transfer; project complexity; structural equation modeling; team diversity |
| Index terms: | communication performance, reflection, multilevel framework, construction professional, project team, interaction, construction industry, project success, construction employee, practitioner, knowledge transfer, construction project, exploration, project complexity, strategy, structural equation modelling |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, statistical analysis, professional development, project management theory and practice, communication studies, management, project delivery, research design and methodology, behavioral psychology, production management, organizational theory, environmental resource management, practitioner, research dissemination and communication |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Project Management, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Digital Applications |
| 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