Conflict Resolution In Civil Engineering Construction Industry

affair answer In Civil Engineering social structure manufactureIntroductionConflict exists in society gener ally, includes in family, work and so on. It is essential and necessary to resolve all kinds of contrasts efficiently and successfully. Inevitably, conflict is also a reality in the well-mannered engineering construction industry. It make fors the operation of get offs, increases the cost of projects, wastes various resources, delays the duration of engineering, decreases staff motivation. Conflict has become a serious enigma in the civil engineering construction industry (Davies, 1998). Conflict resolution becomes more and more useful and crucial.thither ar cardinal objectives in the hatch define the concepts of conflict and construction industry, expound the significance of conflict resolution, investigate the reasons of cause conflicts and recommend some methods to resolve conflicts.MethodologyIn the report, there be four briny objectives. There be three main tramples to accomplish the objectives. The inductive approach is employ in the report.Firstly, finding out the tell apart words of the report topic, it is necessary to read some books, journals, periodicals and articles from library and websites. bulk could understand the concept of conflict, the significance of conflict resolution, reason of causation conflicts and how to resolve conflicts. Secondly, accord to the knowledge, author could define concepts, understand different opinions from different writers and analyze the different opinions. Thirdly, after studying and pondering, author expounds her own ideas of the four objectives.Literature reviewThe ex political platformation of conflict is that the mould of cooperation is incompatible and unfavorable (Rahim, 1992). It is universal and exists with incompatible cooperation (Davies, 1998). Conflict exists in all more than one personal work environment. It is people used to considering their own interest rather than others (Humphrey, 2008). Hellard (1992) thought that conflict is not only caused by a train of events. Peoples emotions could involve in the events and influence the causing of conflicts inevitably.The civil engineering construction industry needs many professional people to involve in, such as Architects, Structure Designers, Constructors, Building and Quantity Surveyors and so on. There are some kinds of conflicts in building industry, Zikmann (1992, p55) said that these include interest conflicts, structural conflicts, value conflicts, descent conflicts and data conflicts.Conflicts occur commonly mingled with main contractors and the sub-contractors (Harding, 1991 as quoted in Langford, 1992). Not only have that, but conflict also occurred mingled with contractors and clients, or contractors and clients architects. Some elements, such as project types and sizes, procural systems and government policy, could influence the conflict aspects (Lavers, 1992).Effectively managed conflicts are necessary. It requires that the construction managers have enough abilities to resolve conflicts. The reason of causing conflicts is various. The majority of conflicts are developed because these are not responded correctly and timely. On the contrary, poor managed conflicts could deteriorate the issues (Zikmann, 1992).There are some reasons of causing conflicts in construction industry. Some are because the construction plan is not clear. It confuses both client and contractor. Some are because over-scope of task between contractor and his subcontractors. The contractor requires subcontractors to do extra work. Some are because time is not enough to complete the project. Others are because the client asks for extra work but refuse to pay more money and extend the time of completion (Klinger, 2009). accident is another reason of causing conflicts. In construction industry, the roles of every part could change. It means that in the new environment, there are some barriers to infl uence relationship balance (Langford, 1992). It is a key ability for managers to manage the complicated relationship networks of project which is limited time and bud hit (Zikmann, 1992).Dispute avoidance is useful in construction care. Conflicts are often caused by wrong consideration, inadequate preparatory and plan or poor project procedures and budget. The popular ways to avoid conflicts are early negotiation, risk audits and training (Brewer, 2007).The best way to resolve conflicts is prevention. It requires project managers to acquaint the objectives of client, make reasonable project plan and have the ability of prediction. People can pinpoint the reason of causing conflicts before happening, but it is difficult to predict when the conflict will occur. Therefore, the certainty of predicting conflicts at the beginning and end is less(prenominal) than in a construction project (Cree, 1992). Not only prediction, but also communication could help to resolve conflicts. Poor commu nication could cause mistaking (Mackie, 1992).Follett(1940, as quoted in Rahim, 1992) said that there are some mains to resolve conflicts, such as domination, compromise, consolidation, avoidance and suppression. Fenn (1992) said that the new method to resolve conflicts is alternatives of litigation and arbitration. KuTenk (2000) classified the strategy of conflict resolution into three part, avoidance, diffusion and antagonism. It is the method to resolve general conflicts and problems. It lacks of pertinence for construction industry. For construction industry, managers need the ability to discuss to resolve conflicts (Jambro and Siddiqi, 2008).Negotiation is the most common method to resolve conflicts. It is more flexible, economic and efficient than other methods (Dieterle and Ramirez, 2001). Mediation could encourage negotiation. Parties select a intercessor to help them resolve the conflicts. Mediators could assist all parties to resolve but they have no right to compel a ny party to agree (Goodman, 2006).Arbitration was the lucky method to resolve conflicts in 1980s and 1990s. It is efficient and economical. Litigation is resolution of conflicts in the court. It is a long and expensive process (Klinger, 2009).Dispute review senesce (DRB) is build before starting of construction. Mostly, it is composed by three construction professionals who have abundant experience. It is highly effective and could reduce the cost of dispute resolution. oer 70% people thought DRB is better than arbitration about resolution result (Harmon, 2003-2004).The conflict resolution in England and Wales has some methods. It is divided into two parts non-binding and binding. In non-binding, there are conciliation, executive tribunal and mediation. In binding, there are adjudication, arbitration, expert determination, litigation and so on (Davies, 1998).DiscussionConflict is a kind of phenomenon which exists in everywhere commonly in the society. Every person has their own id eas, standpoint and interest, it is im realistic to unify all ideas of all people. Therefore, the existing of conflicts is automatonlike consequence. Especially in civil engineering construction industry, there are so many people, roles and tasks, complicated relationship and interested parties.The conflict usually occurs between client or designer and contractor, contractor and subcontractors, contractor and workers or worker and worker. Any relationship is very important and could become the key point to influence the whole project. Good conflict resolution could bring high efficiency and more profit. Bad conflict resolution hinders the smooth process of construction project.The reasons of causing conflict are very various and complicated. These could be summarized into four types time, money, task allocation and contingency. Time means that the project could not be completed on time. In consequence of the changes of design, unreasonable plan in construction stage, works programm e are delayed. The kind of conflict often occurs between client or designer and contactor.The conflict is caused by money includes contractor does not gain money from client, contractor refuses to pay wages to workers, poor financial budget, material terms fluctuation. Task allocation reason means that the project plan is poor, the assignment allocation is ambiguous, task allocation is unfair, harsh work environment and so on. hap is an uncertain element but exists generally and inevitable. It could be occurred in every aspect. Contingency usually can not be dealt with in time because of indeterminacy.Conflict likes a barrier for construction industry. Conflict resolution becomes more and more important. Domination and suppression are unacceptable methods. These methods could cause more serious conflicts. quad steps method could be used to resolve problems about conflicts when people manage a construction project.First step is to prevent. Prevention could resolve conflict before o ccurring. Good conflict prevention needs excellent managers who have enough abilities to make project time and cost plan sensibly, manage all kinds of relationships well and arrange tasks reasonably. Everyone take his due responsibility and obligation. It is the best way of resolving conflict to minimize the probability of causing conflicts.Second step is to certify a group which includes some experts who have extensive experience. These experts could make use of their experience to resolve a lot of contingencies as soon as possible and avoid the conflicts are deteriorated by their experience. Not only that, they also can give some good advice to resolve conflicts in other steps.Third step is to negotiate. Negotiation is an effective and economical method to resolve conflict. Conflict is the problem of two or more parties rather than only one party. So it is important to have good communication and good relationship between every party. Negotiation is a good way to communicate with every party. People could get the main reason of causing conflict and discuss the best way which every party can accept to resolve conflicts. Conflict could be resolve as soon as possible and avoid be deteriorated. Mediation is another way to negotiate between parties. It needs a mediator who selected by every party to help them to resolve conflicts. Negotiation could resolve conflict without breaking relationships. It is a double win method to resolve conflict between parties.Fourth step is arbitration or litigation. These are the resolution process in court. The differences are litigation needs discovery or jury and allows appealing. The process of arbitration or litigation is very long and takes a lot of money. It means that people spend long time and increase the cost of project but conflict is not always be resolved well. Do not use the step if conflict could be resolve by the first base three steps.ConclusionConflict is occurred between different people or interest parties. In civil engineering construction industry, client, contractor, subcontractor and worker are four main component parts. Conflict likes a barrier to baffle the entire project. It is important to deal with and resolve conflict.There are four main reasons of causing conflict, time, money, task allocation and contingency. Good managers and reasonable approaches are necessary for conflict resolution. Prevention, expert group, negotiation and arbitration are four steps to resolve conflicts. These could assist to resolve conflict as soon as possible and minimize loss in civil engineering construction industry.ReferenceBREWER, G, 2007. Dispute avoidance. trim Journal, 437(6611), 22.CREE, C A, 1992. Managing disputes. In FENN, P and GAMESON, R (Eds). Construction conflict direction and resolution. London EFN SPON, 47-53.DAVIES, E et al (Eds), 1998. Dispute resolution and conflict management in construction. London EFN SPON.DIETERLE, R A and RAMIREZ. A M, 2001. 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