Conflict and conflict management in construction

While the adversarial nature of construction is frequently cited in the construction press only a few researchers have investigated conflict within the construction industry. Due to the interdisciplinary construction environment, which inevitably results in clashes of interest, the uses of conflict and recovery from conflict must be a subject of real interest, yet construction management research in this area is scarce. This study has gathered information on the emergence and resolution of conflict within groups. The research data have been used to develop a greater understanding of conflict occurrence and its management. Observations of construction management and design team meetings recorded using the interaction analysis technique were used to identify conflict and the nature of interaction used. A further study of postgraduate students engaged in a group exercise was used to gather perceptions and experiences of conflict and management. Initial findings identify a number of reasons for conflict and interaction behaviour used to manage conflict and reduce associated tension. It is also suggested that further research into conflict should consider issues in terms of concern for self, others and task.