Influence of Conflict Factors on Performance of Construction Projects

Abstract

Conflict is inherent in construction projects due to uniqueness, complexity and involvement of several stakeholders. Occurrence of conflicts affects projects outcomes if not properly managed. This study assessed the influence of factors responsible for conflicts on time, cost and quality performance of construction projects. A quantitative approach which entails questionnaire survey was adopted. Data were collected through questionnaire administered to 125 construction professionals, out of which. 83 were properly filled and returned. The data collected was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Influence of the conflict factors on project performance parameters was ranked using mean and standard deviation. Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to determine the statistical significance of the variation in influence of the conflict factors on time, cost and quality performance of construction projects. Results indicated that the influence of all the 21 assessed conflict factors ranges from ‘moderate’ to ‘high’. 15, 13 and 13 factors have high influence on time, cost and quality performance respectively. Findings of the study also indicated that the variation in the influence of conflict factors on time, cost and quality performance of construction project was statistically not significant (p value obtained is 0.286 for P≤ 0.05). The study concludes that 13 conflict factors have high influence across time, cost and quality performance of construction projects. Furthermore, the influence of conflict factors on time, cost and quality performance of construction projects is similar. The study recommends that construction stakeholders should strive to minimise the occurrence of factors which give rise to conflict in any given project so as to achieve optimal project performance.