Causes of Conflicts in a Construction Industry: A Communicational Approach

Abstract The article analyses the causes of conflicts arising between client and contractors in the construction industry. An analysis of articles on this topic has revealed that most of contemporary authors refer to externally visible signs of conflicts as to the causes thereof. The authors of the present article look at the conflict in construction in a different light – from the aspect of communication. A construction contract agreement which regulates the relationships between the client and the contractor is also viewed as a product of communication. The authors hypothesize that the main cause of conflicts in the construction industry is unsuccessful communication between the client and the contractor. The hypothesis has been confirmed by the conducted research studies. In addition, unfair behavior of the parties to a construction contract agreement and psychological defense mechanisms have been also identified as likely causes of conflicts in the construction industry.

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