Responsibility, power and construction conflict

Abstract

Responsibilities in construction projects are not entirely predetermined by construction contracts. Many emerge arbitrarily from the resolution of power struggles between opposing interest groups who are trying to minimize their exposure to an unexpected resourcing demand. These struggles contain the seeds of conflict because those with relatively little power tend to emerge with relatively high levels of responsibility. For the weak, this inequality causes financial strain, anxiety, resentment, frustration and malevolence.

Keywords:

• Conflict
• Responsibility
• Power
• Risk
• Authority
• Contracts
• Behaviour