A structured literature review on construction conflict prevention and resolution: A modified approach for engineering

Abstract

In the face of several uncertainties in the construction industry, conflicts and disputes seem inevitable. The aim of this systematic literature review of methodologies for prevention and resolution of conflicts was to develop an updated guidance for conflict management in the construction industry. To achieve this, we developed a novel tool termed Modified Reporting Items for Structured Reviews in Engineering and Technology (MORISE) that considered a modified tool from the original literature review method Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Three databases, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE), were searched and 61 articles were shortlisted. In terms of frequency of reasons cited as causes for disputes, payment regimes and delays rank first, followed by written agreement interpretation and changes in projects. Acceptable approaches to resolution of disputes include negotiation, arbitration, facilitation, and dispute resolution boards. This study were able to make a clear distinction between methodologies adopted by various researchers for the prevention and resolution of conflicts and show that in addition to prevention of conflicts, there are comprehensive and suitable techniques to resolve conflicts, which can be adopted in practice.