Share:


Causal mapping to explore emergence of construction disputes

    Cenk Tanriverdi   Affiliation
    ; Guzide Atasoy   Affiliation
    ; Irem Dikmen   Affiliation
    ; M. Talat Birgonul   Affiliation

Abstract

Disputes, frequently encountered in construction projects, can substantially affect project success, necessitating a clear understanding of how and why disputes occur. Previous studies on disputes mostly yielded exhaustive lists or hierarchies of possible causes of disputes, which can hardly be used to understand how these causes come together to form a dispute. To address this gap, this study provides an alternative approach to understand the underlying causes of disputes, and their relationship within a specific context, using causal map analysis. This study is conducted using causal mapping approach to understand dispute emergence patterns in practice. Initially, a causal map of construction disputes is developed based on literature. The map is altered and verified through an expert workshop, considering projects contracted through FIDIC Yellow Book. The causal representation of the dispute emergence patterns highlights the importance of pre-construction studies, people factor, and contract terms. It is revealed that significant causes are either result of a chain of preceding factors or are triggers for further ones. This finding reinforces that the occurrence of disputes does not only depend on individual causes; rather, these causes combine with a series of other factors for a dispute to occur.

Keyword : construction industry, dispute, causal map, contract management, FIDIC, workshop

How to Cite
Tanriverdi, C., Atasoy, G., Dikmen, I., & Birgonul, M. T. (2021). Causal mapping to explore emergence of construction disputes. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 27(5), 288-302. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2021.14900
Published in Issue
May 27, 2021
Abstract Views
1962
PDF Downloads
1178
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Acharya, N. K., Dai Lee, Y., & Im, H. M. (2006). Conflicting factors in construction projects: Korean perspective. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 13(6), 543–566. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980610712364

Ackermann, F., & Alexander, J. (2016). Researching complex projects: Using causal mapping to take a systems perspective. International Journal of Project Management, 34(6), 891–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.04.001

Ackermann, F., & Eden, C. (2010). Strategic options development and analysis. Springer London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-809-4_4

Ackermann, F., & Eden, C. (2011). Making strategy: Mapping out strategic success. Sage.

Ackermann, F., Eden, C., & Williams, T. (1997). Modeling for litigation: Mixing qualitative and quantitative approaches. Interfaces, 27(2), 48–65. https://doi.org/10.1287/inte.27.2.48

Ackermann, F., Howick, S., Quigley, J., Walls, L., & Houghton, T. (2014). Systemic risk elicitation: Using causal maps to engage stakeholders and build a comprehensive view of risks. European Journal of Operational Research, 238(1), 290–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2014.03.035

Adriaanse, J. (2005). Construction contract law: The essentials. Palgrave-MacMillan.

Arif, F., & Saeed, F. (2021). Role of construction project documentation for effective arbitration process. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 13(2), 04521006. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LA.1943-4170.0000466

Ashworth, A. (2005). Contractual procedures in the construction industry. Pearson Longman.

Axelrod, R. (2015). Structure of decision: The cognitive maps of political elites. Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400871957

Banxia. (2017). Decision explorer: User’s guide version 3.5.0. Banxia Software Limited, Kendal, UK. https://banxia.com/pdf/de/DEGuide.pdf

Besaiso, H., Fenn, P., Emsley, M., & Wright, D. (2018). A comparison of the suitability of FIDIC and NEC conditions of contract in Palestine. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 25(2), 241–256. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-10-2016-0235

Bristow, D., & Vasilopoulos, R. (1995). The new ccdc2: facilitating dispute resolution of construction projects. Construction Law Journal, 11(2), 95–117.

Bryson, J. M., Ackermann, F., & Eden, C. (2014). Visual strategy: Strategy mapping for public and nonprofit organizations. John Wiley & Sons.

Bryson, J. M., Ackermann, F., Eden, C., & Finn, C. B. (2004). Visible thinking: Unlocking causal mapping for practical business results. John Wiley & Sons.

Chan, E. H., & Suen, H. C. (2005). Dispute resolution management for international construction projects in China. Management Decision, 43(4), 589–602. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740510593576

Cheung, S. O. (2014). Construction dispute research: Conceptualisation, avoidance and resolution. Springer.

Cheung, S. O., & Yiu, T. W. (2006). Are construction disputes inevitable?. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 53(3), 456–470. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2006.877445

Cheung, S. O., & Pang, K. H. Y. (2013). Anatomy of construction disputes. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 139(1), 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000532

Cheung S. O., & Pang, K. H.Y. (2014). Conceptualising construction disputes. In S. Cheung (Ed.), Construction dispute research. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04429-3_2

Cossette, P., & Audet, M. (1992). Mapping of an idiosyncratic schema. Journal of Management Studies, 29(3), 325–347. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.1992.tb00668.x

Creed, S. E., & Joon, H. P. (2009). Risk index model for minimizing environmental disputes in construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 135(1), 34–41. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2009)135:1(34)

Diekmann, J. E., & Girard, M. J. (1995). Are contract disputes predictable?. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 121(4), 355–363. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1995)121:4(355)

Eden, C. (1992). On the nature of cognitive maps. Journal of Management Studies, 29(3), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.1992.tb00664.x

Eden, C., & Ackermann, F. (2004). Cognitive mapping expert views for policy analysis in the public sector. European Journal of Operational Research, 152(3), 615–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-2217(03)00061-4

Eden, C., Spender, J.-C., & Spender, J. (1998). Managerial and organizational cognition: Theory, methods and research. Sage.

Edkins, A. J., Kurul, E., Maytorena-Sanchez, E., & Rintala, K. (2007). The application of cognitive mapping methodologies in project management research. International Journal of Project Management, 25(8), 762–772. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2007.04.003

El-Sayegh, S., Ahmad, I., Aljanabi, M., Herzallah, R., Metry, S., & El-Ashwal, O. (2020). Construction disputes in the UAE: Causes and resolution methods. Buildings, 10(10), 171. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10100171

Fenn, P., Lowe, D., & Speck, C. (1997). Conflict and dispute in construction. Construction Management and Economics, 15(6), 513–518. https://doi.org/10.1080/014461997372719

Federation Internationale des Ingenieurs-Conseils. (1999). FIDIC Conditions of contract for plant and design build (1st ed.). Geneva, Switzerland.

Fisher, J. (1988). Prevention is better than cure, or how to avoid costly mistakes in hong kong construction contracts. The International Construction Law Review, (July/Oct), 342–348.

Georgiou, I. (2010). Cognitive mapping and Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA). Wiley Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470400531.eorms0974

Goodier, C. I., & Soetanto, R. (2013). Building future scenarios using cognitive mapping. Journal of Maps, 9(2), 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2013.770997

Heaphy, I. (2013). NEC versus FIDIC. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Management Procurement and Law, 166(1), 21–30. https://doi.org/10.1680/mpal.11.00006

Hewitt, R. (1991). Winning contract disputes: Strategic planning for major litigation. Ernst & Young.

Hodgkinson, G. P., & Clarkson, G. P. (2005). What have we learned from almost 30 years of research on causal mapping? Methodological lessons and choices for the information systems and information technology communities. In G. P. Hodgkinson (Ed.), Causal mapping for research in information technology (pp. 46–80). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-59140-396-8.ch003

Huff, A. S. (1990). Mapping strategic thought. John Wiley & Sons.

Ilter, D. (2012). Identification of the relations between dispute factors and dispute categories in construction projects. International Journal of Law in the Built Environment, 4(1), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1108/17561451211211732

Iwamatsu, J., Akiyama, T., & Endo, K. (2008). Construction claims and disputes and the business culture of construction in Japan. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 134(1), 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1052-3928(2008)134:1(119)

Jaffar, N., Tharim, A. A., & Shuib, M. N. (2011). Factors of conflict in construction industry: a literature review. Procedia Engineering, 20, 193–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.11.156

Keil, J. H. (1999). Hybrid ADR in the construction industry. Dispute Resolution Journal, 54(3), 14.

Kelly, G. A. (1955). The psychology of personal constructs. Volume 1: A theory of personality. Routledge.

Kumaraswamy, M. (1997). Common categories and causes of construction claims. Construction Law Journal, 13(1), 21–34.

Love, P., Davis, P., Ellis, J., & Cheung, S. O. (2010). Dispute causation: identification of pathogenic influences in construction. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 17(4), 404–423. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699981011056592

Love, P. E., Davis, P. R., Cheung, S. O., & Irani, Z. (2011). Causal discovery and inference of project disputes. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 58(3), 400–411. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2010.2048907

Michel, H. L. (1998). Feature the next 25 years: The future of the construction industry. Journal of Management in Engineering, 14(5), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0742-597X(1998)14:5(26)

Mitkus, S., & Mitkus, T. (2014). Causes of conflicts in a construction industry: A communicational approach. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 110, 777–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.922

Mitropoulos, P., & Howell, G. (2001). Model for understanding, preventing and resolving project disputes. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 127(3), 223–231. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2001)127:3(223)

Molenaar, K., Washington, S., & Diekmann, J. (2000). Structural equation model of construction contract dispute potential. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 126(4), 268–277. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2000)126:4(268)

Naji, K. K., Mansour, M. M., & Gunduz, M. (2020). Methods for modeling and evaluating construction disputes: A critical review. IEEE Access, 8, 45641–45652. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2976109

Narayanan, V., & Armstrong, D. (2005). Causal mapping for research in information technology. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-59140-396-8

Parchami Jalal, M., Noorzai, E., & Yavari Roushan, T. (2019). Root cause analysis of the most frequent claims in the building industry through the SCoP3E Ishikawa diagram. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 11(2), UNSP 04519004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LA.1943-4170.0000289

Rhys Jones, S. (1994). How constructive is construction law?. Construction Law Journal, 10, 28–28.

Rooke, J., Seymour, D., & Fellows, R. (2003). The claims culture: a taxonomy of attitudes in the industry. Construction Management & Economics, 21(2), 167–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144619032000079707

Sabri, O. K., Lædre, O., & Bruland, A. (2019). Why conflicts occur in roads and tunnels projects in Norway. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 25(3), 252–264. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2019.8566

Santos, L. D., Schlindwein, S. L., Fantini, A. C., Belderrain, M. C. N., Montibeller, G., & Franco, L. A. (2019). Structuring contrasting forest stakeholders’ views with the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) approach. International Forestry Review, 21(4), 501–515. https://doi.org/10.1505/146554819827906834

Semple, C., Hartman, F. T., & Jergeas, G. (1994). Construction claims and disputes: Causes and cost/time overruns. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 120(4), 785–795. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1994)120:4(785)

Sheridan, P. (2003). Claims and disputes in construction. Construction Law Journal, 12(1), 3–13.

Spittler, J. R., & Jentzen, G. H. (1992). Dispute resolution: Managing construction conflict with step negotiations. AACE International Transactions, 1(1), 9–19.

Sykes, J. (1996). Claims and disputes in construction. Construction Law Journal, 12(1), 3–13.

Tolman, E. C. (1948). Cognitive maps in rats and men. Psychological Review, 55(4), 189–208. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0061626

Tsai, J. S., & Chi, C. S. (2009). Influences of Chinese cultural orientations and conflict management styles on construction dispute resolving strategies. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 135(10), 955–964. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2009)135:10(955)

Viswanathan, S. K., Panwar, A., Kar, S., Lavingiya, R., & Jha, K. N. (2020). Causal modeling of disputes in construction projects. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 12(4), 04520035. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LA.1943-4170.0000432

Vygotsky, L. S. (1980). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvjf9vz4

Waldron, B. D. (2006). Scope for improvement: A survey of pressure points in Australian construction and infrastructure projects (Report prepared for the Australian Constructors Association by Blake Dawson Waldron Lawyers). Sydney, Australia.

Watts, V., & Scrivener, J. (1995). Building disputes settled by litigation: comparison of Australian and UK practices. Building Research and Information, 23(1), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613219508727421

Yates, D. (1999). Conflict and disputes in the development process: A transaction cost economics perspective (Working Paper).

Yiu, K. T., & Cheung, S. O. (2006). A catastrophe model of construction conflict behavior. Building and Environment, 41(4), 438–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.01.007