Social conflict in construction-related inter-organizational collectives : a comparative analysis and structural equation model

Osborne, Allan (2005) Social conflict in construction-related inter-organizational collectives : a comparative analysis and structural equation model. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Irrespective of the groundswell of interest in construction industry conflict during the last two decades, there has been comparatively little research conducted that attempts to investigate the association between social conflict and ineffective construction industry inter-organizational relationships. This is despite the growing recognition that conditions conducive to effective social relationships between interdependent organizations contribute towards improved industrial productivity. This doctoral thesis contributes to the existing literature and empirical database on construction industry conflict by reporting the findings of a research project designed to explore the comparative organizational properties that encourage interdependence and the emergence of inter-organizational conflict during the construction process. The investigation builds upon and moderates an earlier comparative analysis of inter- organizational conflict by Molnar and Rogers (1979) in order to formulate a novel structural equation model. It includes as its database six case studies of medium- to large-scale new-build construction projects, selected from the north-eastern region of England, from which the networks of social relationships within the collectivities of construction-related organizations were examined from the perspective of the exogenous and endogenous comparative organizational properties. Primary data were collected during semi-structured interviews with twenty-three boundary role representatives of the twelve construction-related organizations responsible for the design and construction of the observed projects. The resultant structural equation model provides insight into the occurrence of inter-organizational conflict within the UK construction industry, in addition to explaining the key factors that influence the occurrence of ineffective construction industry inter-organizational relationships. In essence, this doctoral investigation has demonstrated the potential ability to predict the likelihood that social conflict will arise between interdependent construction- related organizations. Furthermore, it has paved the way for additional studies to be conducted to further understand the complex and intriguing aspects of construction industry inter-organizational relationships by presenting an accurately specified theoretical framework and an appropriately grounded methodological approach.

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