Search

In the face of several uncertainties in the construction industry, conflicts and disputes seem inevitable. The aim of this systematic literature review of methodologies for prevention and resolution of conflicts was to develop an updated guidance for conflict management in the construction industry. To achieve this, we developed a novel tool termed Modified Reporting Items for Structured Reviews in Engineering and Technology (MORISE) that considered a modified tool from the original literature review method Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Three databases, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE), were searched and 61 articles were shortlisted. In terms of frequency of reasons cited as causes for disputes, payment regimes and delays rank first, followed by written agreement interpretation and changes in projects. Acceptable approaches to resolution of disputes include negotiation, arbitration, facilitation, and dispute resolution boards. This study were able to make a clear distinction between methodologies adopted by various researchers for the prevention and resolution of conflicts and show that in addition to prevention of conflicts, there are comprehensive and suitable techniques to resolve conflicts, which can be adopted in practice.

AbstractConstruction industry is the largest industrial employer of the world. However, construction labour suffers from declining productivity, job satisfaction and wellbeing. Given its volume and labour extensiveness, measures undertaken to improve labour sustainability of the construction industry would have high impact for the future. To improve the sustainability of labour performance, this paper suggests decision-making measures at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Data is generated through targeted interviews of the top management of the five biggest Norwegian construction contractors. The measures suggested by the interviewees are analyzed and complemented with theory through a systematic literature review, resulting in the development of 45 measures to achieve sustainable labour performance at strategic, tactical and operational decision-making levels. Due to strict labour laws and regulations, some frequently reported measures in literature do not hold relevance to the Norwegian construction industry. However, the quality of data and unique position of the Norwegian construction industry magnifies its relevance to the global construction industry.

Purpose: Early contractor involvement (ECI) faces many barriers because it differs from traditional business practices. Public owners, especially, face a major challenge because they must comply with international and national legislation. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that illustrates the various approaches that public project owners can take to implement ECI. Design/methodology/approach: In addition to a literature review, three groups of case studies were carried out. The case studies were based on 54 semi-structured in-depth interviews with key personnel from 21 Norwegian public projects and document study. Findings: In all, 25 approaches to ECI were identified during the research. Twelve of these were used in the cases studied. Social implications: There are several approaches to ECI that are suitable for public owners. However, the contractor’s contribution depends on which approach is implemented and how it is implemented. Originality/value: As original contribution, this study presents a novel framework that defines options for implementing ECI in public projects. Furthermore, this paper provides insights on how ECI can be implemented in public projects based on Norwegian experiences. Although the empirical data of the study is limited to Norwegian public projects, this study contributes to knowledge about how to implement ECI internationally.

The paper reports on case studies of handovers in medium-large and large Norwegian construction projects. It outlines an understanding of the ethical challenges experienced during this handover as part of a wider enquiry into the ethical field in the context of the Norwegian construction industry. In addition to a literature review and document study, 41 semi-structured interviews have been carried out in accordance with a qualitative approach. Four of these were general in nature (with policy makers) and 37 case-specific (with clients, contractors and user representatives). The paper establishes a descriptive picture of significant ethical challenges at handover experienced within the Norwegian construction industry. The most prominent of these stems from the participants' own hidden agendas and power plays. Clients, contractors and subcontractors alike tend to be systematically suspicious of one another. Signs of participants repetitively utilising the complexity involved for their own benefit at the expense of others are identified. The main costs involved seem to reinforce these challenges. Further research is needed to clarify challenges and develop appropriate measures to address these issues on both operational and policy levels.

Purpose: Early contractor involvement (ECI) faces many barriers when it is implemented in public procurement, given that it is different from traditional business practices. Primarily, public owners face a major challenge, as they should treat all bidders equally. The purpose of this paper is to explore suitable ECI approaches that public owners could use. Design/methodology/approach: In addition to a literature and document study, 14 semi-structured in-depth interviews with key personnel from 11 cases selected from Norwegian public bridge projects were carried out. Findings: In all, 23 unique approaches of ECI were identified during this research (16 from literature and 7 new from case projects). The findings provide a new direction to ECI through introducing new approaches of ECI from the case projects. Originality/value: This paper for the first time presents several alternatives of ECI approaches for public owners with the intention of illustrating ECI is actually possible in the public project procurement. Furthermore, it presents for the first time success factors of ECI with the intention of increasing the understanding of ECI concept from a public procurement perspective.

This paper examines the handover process in Norwegian construction industry, focusing on commercial buildings. Improving handover processes reduces the number of conflicts, increases user value, improves indoor climate along with securing overall building performance, both in closing construction phases as well as throughout the building lifetime. As little research is found on the subject, a collective project was initiated by the municipality of Trondheim. This case study is limited to a single, environmentally certified, office building in Norway. The paper aims to determine main delay and defect causes. Finally, some countermeasures are identified. A literature review along with a document study was performed. Seven semi-structured, case specific interviews were conducted in addition to a pilot study consisting of three interviews on the same topic. The case respondents are project managers from contractor and client with extensive experience from the Norwegian construction industry. Several causes in contractor-client interfaces were identified. Among the most critical were late changes and decision-making, lacking understanding of limitations and potential in design-build contracts, conflicting interpretation of specification of work along with complex technical installations. Possible countermeasures are found to be strict decision planning, sufficient time buffers, early reconciliation of client expectations together with sufficiently detailed specification of work and significant specialist knowledge in complex technical coordination. This paper investigates a little scrutinized part of Norwegian construction projects in an effort to better commercial building performance and profitability. Future research on multiple construction projects would help confirm or disprove findings and the identified countermeasures.

The project delivery method (PDM) greatly influences the project outcome. Design-Build, Construction Management and Design-Bid-Build represent the three main methods. Each PDM comes up with its own advantages and disadvantages which suit different projects in different circumstances. A general literature review and a case specific document study were carried out. Firstly, this paper identifies general criteria for selecting PDM. Secondly, it comes up with specific criteria for selecting the PDM for a large infrastructure project. Due to the project characteristics, the identified specific selection criteria differ from the general selection criteria. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) plans a coastal highway route (E39) along the western coast of Norway covering a total of 1100km, substituting seven ferry connections, with an estimated cost of 268 billion Norwegian kroner. This project is used as an exemplary case of a large infrastructure project. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge with a list of selection criteria for PDMs aggregated from literature, and points out that this list should be adapted to case specific characteristics before being used to select a PDM

There seems to be a common understanding that the Norwegian construction industry faces challenges concerning the presence of delays and defects in the handover process. However, little research has been found regarding countermeasures to avoid these problems. This paper forms a part of a research project on handover processes in Norwegian construction projects, initiated by the municipality of Trondheim. It is supposed to work as a pilot study for further research, and examines: 1) Consequences of delays and defects, 2) the causes of them and 3) potential countermeasures that can be implemented.

This paper reports on a study of the most common buildings defects at the handover, and examines the causes of defects, the consequences for main contractor, subcontractors, users and clients and improvement opportunities. The purpose of the study is to help better planning at handover with less deviation to increase value for client, contractors and users. The case study based research including a literature study and case studies from the respective cases and interviews with key participants from both the clients’ and contractors’ organization. The results show that the most frequent defects registered at the handover are related damage to surfaces. These are usually due to by human errors, fall of tools, locating of heavy materials, transportation of goods and materials and time limits. These are mostly neither difficult nor expensive to correct. Defects related to the technical installations are the next area that has the most frequent negative deviations. The technical installation should work together to complete the whole system functioning, so problem in one component prevents the whole system to fully functioning. The main reason for defects is incomplete and poor design. Economic losses and undermine confidence between the different stakeholders in the construction industry are the main consequences of defects. More attention to technical installations and less on surface appearance during the handover process, following up standard contracts, detailed and realistic forward planning to avoid time constraints and continues dialogue with client recommended to avoid defects.