Conflict in Construction

Informationen zum Autor Jeffery Whitfield FRICS, is an expert witness in quantum and delay cases in energy, engineering and construction projects and has worked on cases around the globe. A chartered quantity surveyor and trained planner/ scheduler, he is a Director at Hill International. Klappentext Construction projects are beset with disputes. In 1960 around 250 writs were issued relating to construction disputes. Within 30 years this number increased five-fold, and in the 20 years since then the number of disputes has not fallen. Some disputes are significant, others are quite minor, but most could probably be avoided. Disputes originate in disagreements or conflict between individuals, which if addressed early, can prevent escalation into situations that are difficult, expensive and time consuming to resolve.Conflicts in Construction deals with all types of conflict but concentrates on the conflicts that lead to disputes in construction projects. The book shows the reader how to avoid, manage and resolve conflicts before they become serious disputes.The first edition of Conflicts in Construction was read widely and saved many individuals and companies from falling into intractable disputes. The second edition, fully updated, forms the base content for the Hill/ Knowles seminar series on conflicts, delivered around the globe by the author, and will be an important read for everyone employed in the construction industry. Zusammenfassung Construction projects are beset with disputes. This book deals with all types of conflicts that lead to disputes in construction projects. It shows readers how to avoid, manage and resolve conflicts before they become serious disputes. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface vii 1 Conflicts in Construction 1 1.1 Recent history 2 1.2 Understanding conflict 3 1.3 Addressing conflict 3 1.4 Positive aspects of a conflict 4 1.5 The real causes of conflict 6 2 Why Do We Need to Manage Conflict? 11 2.1 Functional conflict 12 2.2 Dysfunctional conflict 12 3 Causes of Conflict 19 3.1 A conflict of ideas 19 3.2 A conflict of beliefs 22 3.3 A conflict of interests 24 3.4 The Fertile Ground Theory 25 3.5 Internal conflict 29 3.6 Internal conflict in construction 34 3.7 Other factors 38 4 Dishonesty and Self Deception 41 4.1 Plain dishonesty 41 4.2 Self delusion 43 4.3 Cognitive Dissonance 44 4.4 Confirmative Bias 45 5 Interpersonal Relationships 49 5.1 Anthropological factors 50 5.2 Sociological factors 52 5.3 Physiological factors 54 5.4 Psychological factors 54 5.5 Prejudice 57 5.6 Personality types 57 5.7 The urge to conflict 62 6 Anatomy of a Construction Project 63 6.1 Overview of the project and the parties 63 6.2 The pre-contract period 65 6.3 The contract period 67 6.4 The dispute period 69 6.5 Summary and analysis of the dispute 71 7 Twelve Steps for Reducing Conflict 73 7.1 Step 1: Communicate with precision 73 7.2 Step 2: Listen and consider attentively 75 7.3 Step 3: Think before speaking 76 7.4 Step 4: Take time to build relationships 78 7.5 Step 5: Be honest in your dealings with others 79 7.6 Step 6: Do not dispute trivial matters 80 7.7 Step 7: Look for common ground 80 7.8 Step 8: Recognise and avoid prejudice 81 7.9 Step 9: Express your understanding 82 7.10 Step 10: Control your emotions 83 7.11 Step 11: Apologise gracefully if you are wrong 84 7.12 Step 12: Accept apologies gracefully if others are in the wrong 86 8 Reducing Conflict 87 8.1 People, people, people 87 8.2 Interpersonal techniques 88 8.3 ...

List of contents

Preface: A time of Change
 

1 Conflicts in Construction
 
Recent History
 
Understanding Conflict
 
Addressing Conflict
 
Positive Aspects of a Conflict
 
The Real Causes of Conflict
 

2: Why Do We Need to Manage Conflict?
 
Functional Conflict
 
Dysfunctional Conflict
 

3: Causes of Conflict
 
A Conflict of Ideas
 
A Conflict of Beliefs
 
A Conflict of Interests
 
The Fertile Ground Theory
 
Internal Conflict
 
Internal Conflict in Construction
 
Other Factors
 

4 Dishonesty & Self Deception
 
Plain Dishonesty
 
Self Delusion
 
Cognitive Dissonance
 
Confirmative Bias
 

5 Interpersonal Relationships
 
Anthropological Factors
 
Social Filtering
 
Sociological Factors
 
Physiological Factors
 
Psychological Factors
 
Prejudice
 
Personality Types
 
The Urge to Conflict
 

6 Anatomy of a Construction Project
 
The Project
 
The Client
 
The Feed Contractor/Design Contractor
 
The Contractor
 
The Project
 
The Analysis So Far
 
The Contract Period
 
The Analysis So Far
 
The Dispute Period
 
Analysis of the Dispute
 

7 Twelve Steps for Reducing Conflict
 
Step 1: Communicate with precision
 
Step 2: Listen and consider attentively
 
Step 3: Think before speaking
 
Step 4: Take time to build relationships
 

Step 5: Be honest in your dealings with others
 
Step 6: Do not dispute trivial matters
 
Step 7: Look for common ground
 
Step 8: Recognise and avoid prejudice
 
Step 9: Express your understanding
 
Step 10: Control your emotions
 
Step 11: Apologise gracefully if you are wrong
 
Step 12: Accept apologies gracefully if others are in the wrong
 

8 Reducing Conflict
 
People, People, People
 
Interpersonal Techniques
 
Perceptions and Personalities
 
Tactical Behaviour
 
In Summary
 

9 Managing Conflicts
 
Simple Resolution Techniques
 
Fact finding
 
Problem Solving
 
Control of Conflict
 
Prevention
 
Precautions
 
Symptoms
 
Alarms
 
Starve the Conflict
 
Prevent Conflict from Spreading
 
Address the Conflict
 
Call the Professionals
 
Managing Conflict
 

10 Informal Resolution Methods
 
Negotiation
 
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
 
Dispute Resolution Agents, Dispute Resolution Boards
 
Mediation and Conciliation
 

11 Formal Dispute Resolution
 
Avoidance
 

Reduction
 
Control and Management
 
Resolution
 
Arbitration and Litigation
 
Arbitration
 
Litigation
 

12 Conflict in Changing and Challenging Markets
 
Will People Change?
 
Will Contracts Change?
 
Has Europe got anything better to offer?
 
Conflict in Changing Market Conditions
 
More Conflict or Less Conflict - You decide.

Product details

• Authors: Jeffery Whitfield, J Whitfield, Jeff Whitfield, Jeffery Whitfield, Jeffery (Hill International (Uk) Ltd) Whitfield, Whitfield Jeffery
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 24.08.2012
• EAN: 9781118298701
• ISBN: 978-1-118-29870-1
• No. of pages: 160
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Structural and environmental engineering; Baurecht, Baubetrieb, Bauwesen, Construction Management, Bauingenieur- u. Bauwesen, Civil Engineering & Construction, Allg. Bauingenieur- u. Bauwesen, Construction law