Research Trends and Innovative Technologies in Construction Conflict Management: A VOSviewer Analysis

1. Introduction

Construction projects are inherently prone to risks due to their involvement of numerous stakeholders and complex work cycles [1]. If risks in construction contracts are not allocated in a clear and balanced manner, they may lead to conflicts. If conflicts are not effectively managed, they can evolve into claims. If claims are not appropriately resolved, they may further escalate into disputes (Figure 1) [2, 3]. In the construction industry, the concepts of conflict and dispute are often confused and regarded as almost identical. However, disputes are a result of conflicts. Conflict can be defined as differences in the objectives or goals of project participants [4]. In other words, conflicts occur when parties in a business relationship have differing perspectives and interests while striving to achieve a common goal [5]. Conflict is a process that can lead to either positive or negative outcomes. The resolution of this process can be achieved through coercion, collaboration, compromise, correction, negotiation, concession, or avoidance, depending on the personalities, education, and business culture of the involved parties, following the identification of the primary causes of the conflict.

Despite the fact that projects are getting more complicated, productivity-based labour management, material usage in accordance with technical specifications, technological tools, equipment, and machinery integration, effective financial management, and the agility of the management structure to adapt to continuous changes and technological developments in the sector could mitigate conflicts and, consequently, disputes. This is only possible if there are leaders and managers with emotional and cognitive intelligence who can recognize conflict in an organization. Furthermore, the managers are required to adopt and internalize the management functions of POCCC (planning, organization, coordination, command, and control). Otherwise, the parties could bring up claims, experience disputes, and apply dispute resolution methods [6].

Construction disputes, which can be resolved through mechanisms such as litigation, result in significant project delays and additional costs. Furthermore, different alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques, including negotiation, mediation, and early neutral evaluation, may be applied in construction disputes. However, this not only leads to reputational and financial losses for the parties involved but also causes projects to deviate from their original objectives [7]. Therefore, intervening in conflicts proactively is of paramount importance to prevent disputes.

Studies that conduct in-depth analyzes of construction conflicts and the development of new technological tools have made significant progress, aiming to minimize the damages caused by conflicts in the construction industry. The purpose of this chapter is to explore academic trends related to the strategic management of construction conflicts and innovative advancements that facilitate conflict resolution. To this end, an extensive analysis of pivotal studies in the field was initially undertaken, concentrating on research that investigates the causes and categories of construction conflicts to enhance comprehension of the topic. Subsequently, studies specifically centered on construction conflicts and innovative technologies were reviewed and evaluated. In the following phase, studies that met specific criteria were exclusively selected from the Web of Science database and quantitatively analyzed utilizing VOSviewer software. In this context, the publication trends of the selected articles were assessed, and the relevant journals as well as the most active countries conducting research in this area were identified. Additionally, the co-citation network within these studies was examined, and co-occurring keywords were identified.

The remainder of the study is structured as follows: Section 2 delineates the research methodology, whereas Section 3 focuses on the examination of construction conflicts. Section 4 evaluates pioneering technology-driven research on the topic. Section 5 provides quantitative analyzes of chosen studies. Section 6 highlights the principal findings, contributions, and limitations of the study.

2. Research methodology

This study analyzed research pertaining to conflict management within the construction industry. Initially, research analyzing construction conflicts and exploring innovative tools applicable to this domain was intently reviewed, and recommendations for future research and practitioners were provided. Moreover, this study conducted a bibliometric analysis of studies addressing conflicts and management strategies in the construction sector by utilizing the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection. In this study, the WoS database was used because it is one of the world’s leading citation databases [8]. This database includes articles from the most impactful journals worldwide, as well as conference proceedings and books. The scope of this research is limited to only the articles. The reason for this is that the quantity of articles on construction management and conflict surpasses that of other publication categories, providing comprehensive insights into the subject matter [9, 10]. In this vein, searches were performed on December 3, 2024, using the keywords “construction* conflict management*” OR “construction conflict*” OR “strategic* management*” OR “construction conflict resolution*.” As a result of this scan, 24,894 documents were reached. Subsequently, filtering was conducted on articles indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) and Science Citation Index Expanded (SSCI) and published in English. No specific date range was selected for the related studies. After the exclusion of studies that were irrelevant to construction management, the remaining 80 studies were analyzed quantitatively in detail. This study performed bibliometric analyzes utilizing the free software VOSviewer version 1.6.20. The methodology of the present study is depicted in Figure 2.

3. Construction conflicts

Conflicts, much like in other industries, have a profound impact on the construction sector. Thus, many researchers have undertaken studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of the origins of risks, conflicts, and claims. Mahamid [11] examined the primary factors influencing conflicts between employers and contractors in his research. The study analyzed a survey conducted with project managers and an academic expert. Results of the analysis indicate that the primary factors contributing to conflicts include postponed monthly payments from owners, variation orders, poor work quality, rework, and deviations from the timeline for the project leading to delays in completion. In another investigation, Brockman [12] aimed to reveal the factors that trigger these conflicts and the cost of daily conflicts among individuals involved in construction sector projects. To achieve this, data obtained from individual interviews with a group of 74 people, consisting of workers and managers with at least 5 years of experience in the industry, was assessed with the critical incident method. According to the findings of the study, perceived safety issues, rework, lack of equipment/tools, construction planning, employer characteristics, communication deficiencies, and coordination between job roles are among the key factors that trigger interpersonal conflicts on construction sites. In addition, Vaux and Dority [13], according to the literature review, identified the factors that alleviate relationship conflicts in the construction sector. The study’s results demonstrate that communication, conflict management strategies, and trust-building are the essential mitigating factors. Some scholars have identified the roots of construction conflicts by addressing contractual risks rather than interpersonal conflicts. Koc and Gurgun [14] identified risk factors that result in varying interpretations of contracts, potentially leading to conflicts between the parties involved. The authors compiled factors that could lead to conflicts regarding the reading of contracts into 18 categories and asked experts to assess the importance of these factors through a survey. The perceptions of the stakeholders who participated in the survey were analyzed and compared in four distinct groups: public-private sector, employer-contractor, employer-subcontractor, and contractor-subcontractor. According to the survey results, the majority of stakeholders identified the use of complex expressions in noun phrases and the improper use of references (e.g., it, they, their) as the most significant risk factors. The use of ambiguous words or phrases, as well as unnecessarily long sentences, were also recognized as other critical risk factors. The literature indicates that various types of conflicts will result in disputes. Cheung and Pang [15] sought to ascertain the principal factors contributing to the occurrence of construction disputes. The authors formulated a conceptual model delineating the structure of disputes, substantiated by literature and expert insights. Consequently, affective conflict and collaborative conflict are regarded as significant factors in this model. In addition to these, the strategic management of conflicts, along with their outcomes and impacts, has also been a focus of research. Min et al. [16] investigated the occurrence and characteristics of conflicts in public infrastructure projects. Their study proposes a six-part process framework to analyze and manage these conflicts, including conflict-causing factors, project characteristics, conflict events, government responses, main contractor responses, and conflict outcomes. Moreover, Karthikeyan and Manikandan [2] identified the causes and consequences of conflicts within the Indian construction sector in their research. A survey, developed with the assistance of literature, was administered to a group of employers, consultants, and contractors. The survey results indicate that the primary causes of conflicts are, the prioritization of objectives, alterations in site conditions, and interpersonal conflicts, respectively. The study also determined the primary effects of conflicts, including causing disputes, resulting in arbitration and time overruns.

In light of these studies, it was concluded that construction conflicts are affected by inadequate coordination and communication, interpersonal dynamics, site and project characteristics, planning, and contractual matters. Given that conflicts can result in irreparable harm to construction contracts, it is crucial to adopt an objective and strategic approach to conflict management through the application of new technologies.

4. Innovative technologies in construction conflict management

Research has highlighted that the implementation of technology-assisted proactive approaches can substantially enhance strategic conflict management in the construction industry. The technological tools generally attempt to mitigate the adverse impacts of conflicts on construction projects by enabling risk prediction and promoting amicable resolutions. In this context, studies focusing on decision support systems based on fuzzy logic or machine learning, BIM-integrated decision-making processes, and blockchain-based systems that preserved documents stand out [17]. A BIM-integrated conflict management approach was presented by Charehzehi et al. [18] to prevent construction conflicts from escalating into disputes. This study proposed a flowchart outlining the decision-making process supported by BIM in the event of a conflict. The study revealed that BIM functions, including clash detection, cost estimation, 4D planning, 3D visualization, and structural analysis, are effective in managing conflict factors. In addition, a system that generates, transmits, and synchronizes blocks through e-mail communication was designed by Kim et al. [19]. This system aims to preserve and manage documents generated throughout the construction project process securely. This research endorses the utilization of blockchain technology for the resolution of claims and disputes. Apart from these, a series of investigations [20, 21, 22, 23, 24] have attempted to predict the likelihood of disputes occurring in construction projects using various machine learning techniques. In these studies, researchers have generally focused on predicting the occurrence of disputes by considering variables such as project characteristics, case details, and the approaches of the parties involved. These studies are significant in terms of reporting the probability of conflicts escalating into disputes.

In addition to the systems proposed by academic research in this field, innovative technologies that have been employed in practice in recent years also contribute to conflict management in the construction industry. Integrating Industry 4.0 technologies or digital transformation technologies into the practical applications of strategic conflict management may be essential. In the report prepared by the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI) in 2024, the technologies to reduce errors in the design and construction process were expressed in a case study document, built principally around the categories under the headings of; checking technology (schedule and data checkers, checklists), automated generation technology (design configurators and automated scheduling systems), workflow engines, visualization systems (virtual reality and augmented reality, digital rehearsals), collaboration and communication tools, computer vision and Internet of Things sensors. In addition to the aforementioned best practice case studies, the report also covered digital technologies used in quality management systems, including digital twins and change management. Moreover, the construction industry already employs 3D laser scanners (3DLS), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), wearable construction technology (WCT), big data (BD), autonomous networked robots (ANR), and nanotechnology (NT) [25, 26]. All this digital technology facilitates transparent and effective communication among stakeholders in both physical and virtual environments, enabling real-time interaction and data-driven dispute resolution through efficient collaboration, information, and document sharing. The use of up-to-date digital technologies in the pre-design and construction processes of construction projects can prevent potential hidden errors and risks arising from internal and external environments from turning into conflicts, claims, and disputes. Therefore, these digital technologies are vital in conflict management [26, 27, 28].

Researchers in the pertinent field assert that these developed technological tools will mitigate conflicts and facilitate project completion without deviating from their objectives. Undertaking more extensive research that illustrates the practical efficacy of these applications could be advantageous for industry professionals.

5. Results of the VOSviewer analysis

In this section, the results of the bibliometric analysis are presented with tables and network maps.

5.1 Publication year and citation trends of the studies

Figure 3 illustrates the annual total of published studies and their corresponding citations. In accordance with the constraints of this investigation, no publications were identified prior to 1994. It appears that the number of studies reached its maximum in 2018. The quantity of academic research on conflict management may have diminished post-2018 due to substantial events that have profoundly impacted social life, including the COVID-19 pandemic, financial crises, economic hardships, wars, and natural disasters.

5.3 Network of the co-occurrence keywords

In VOSviewer, the minimum number of occurrences of a keyword was set as 1, and a network related to co-occurring keywords was generated. The software detected 245 keywords. Figure 4 demonstrates the keyword clusters and links among them. The primary keywords include strategic management, construction, construction management, construction industry, and project management.

5.5 Analysis of the co-authorship

Co-authorship analysis enables the review of collaborations among authors within the relevant domain. Table 3 and Figure 5 present the results of the co-authorship analysis. The nine authors with the most connections to each other are shown in Figure 5. The yellow sections denote authors who have produced relatively recent work.

Author	Documents	Citations	Total link strength
Zhang, G.	2	63	8
Anderson, S. D.	2	16	5
Arashpour, M.	1	40	5
Chan, A. P. C.	1	291	5
Chan, D. W. M.	1	291	5
Chan, E. H. W.	1	291	5
Chiang, Y. H.	1	291	5
Chinelli, C.K.	1	2	5
Guedes, A. l. A.	1	2	5
Gunarathna, C.	1	40	5
Haddad, A.N.	1	2	5
Ho, K. S. K	1	291	5
Jayasuriya, S.	1	40	5
Oladimeji, O.	1	2	5
Rodrigues, A. M.	1	2	5
Soares, C. A. P.	1	2	5
Tang, B. S.	1	291	5
Xue, X.	1	40	5
Yang, R. J.	1	40	5

Table 3.

Results of the analysis of co-authorship [30].

6. Conclusions

The strategic management of conflicts that arise in the construction industry is essential for the successful completion of projects in terms of cost, time, and quality. Therefore, this study mapped conflict management studies within the construction sector and provided a comprehensive assessment of it. Furthermore, strategic and innovative advancements facilitating conflict management were examined. In this context, the relevant studies in the literature were first identified and analyzed to understand the essence of construction conflicts. After that, novel technological advancements targeted to mitigate the adverse impacts of conflicts were aggregated and assessed. Ultimately, the research based on the aforementioned criteria from the Web of Science database was examined utilizing VOSviewer software.

The examination’s findings indicated that construction conflicts are influenced by site and project features, personal relationships, planning, contractual issues, and insufficient coordination and communication. It is crucial to conduct current research on the causes of conflicts in order to enable policymakers and construction professionals to implement preventative measures. In this context, the effects of economic, social, and technological changes on construction conflicts can be evaluated by consulting expert opinions.

Within the scope of this study, significant studies and practice applications of innovative technologies in construction conflict management have been examined. The research indicates that proactive approaches supported by technologies categorized as Industry 4.0 or digital transformation technologies can significantly improve conflict management in the construction industry. Technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), wearable construction technology (WCT), digital twins (DT), virtual reality and augmented reality (AR), 3D laser scanners (3DLS), and the Internet of Things (IoT) can mitigate conflicts by enhancing construction management through real-time tracking of structural elements, site safety, and simulation. In addition, innovations such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), blockchain (BC), cloud computing platforms (CCP), and big data (BD) can enhance collaboration and transparency by actively participating in processes including supply chain management, customer relationship management, storage management systems, and enterprise resource planning. Finally, autonomous network robots (AND) and nanotechnology (NT) can contribute to quality and planning by improving existing materials and optimizing labour and equipment operations. These technologies can facilitate transparent communication between stakeholders, enabling real-time interaction and data-driven conflict resolution. The use of these technologies in the preliminary design and construction processes has the potential to prevent potential hidden errors and risks from escalating into conflicts, claims, and disputes.

In conclusion of the present study, it has been determined that these technological tools, which will enhance conflict management, should be disseminated and their efficacy in addressing conflicts should be documented. In this context, future research should concentrate on investigations that illustrate the practical application of developed technological tools for the benefit of industry professionals. Since it will shed light on problems in practice, case studies in this field are considered valuable. These technologies can mitigate conflicts during the project process; however, disagreements may also emerge among individuals concerning the utilization of these tools. The reviewed studies predominantly emphasize the introduction of technological tools via case analyzes while inadequately addressing the potential issues that may arise during their implementation. Considering that conflicts in the construction industry stem from factors such as project characteristics and planning, it is important to provide a detailed depiction through case studies of which tasks [31] (e.g., restoration, construction), which construction activities and which technologies (versions, tool models, etc.) [32] are used and how they are implemented. Furthermore, depending on the versions of the employed technologies, the work-related limitations imposed by these tools can be discerned, and these insights may be passed on to professionals actively engaged in the field. Moreover, by employing various case studies, a proactive strategy can be formulated to ascertain which contract types may yield advantageous results for specific parties in the event of such a conflict. All these efforts may clarify potential conflicts during the project process and aid professionals in parallel fields in acquiring insights and implementing preventive measures against issues. In this vein, integrating a comprehensive explanation of problem-resolution mechanisms within contracts can also mitigate the likelihood of a conflict-prone situation.

The validation of these employed technologies is also critically significant. Evaluating the outputs of a minimum of two technological tools for the same objective, aligned with the work’s purpose, and comparing them with actual construction records can be instrumental in mitigating potential errors and conflicts.

Approaches can be developed to provide training to engineering students on how to use these technologies in practice. This will increase the academic performance of students [33], and the familiarity of graduates in the field with the use of current technologies will reduce possible conflicts. At this juncture, it is imperative to incorporate projects that encourage students to utilize these technologies within the curriculum and to create collaborations with industry, educational institutions, and government entities. Indeed, there is a necessity for research that encompasses a wider variety of parameters (including various technological tools and students from diverse geographies and cultures) to ascertain the impact of these applications on learning outcomes. In addition, to enhance conflict management, these tools can be improved with interdisciplinary collaborations by focusing on the missing or developing aspects of the tools used [34].

Upon examining the annual aggregate of articles published in reputable journals regarding the topic of conflict and their associated citations, it was determined that the quantity of publications and citations peaked in 2018, subsequently declining thereafter. The finding underscores the necessity for up-to-date studies, emphasizing the importance of raising both the number and quality of forthcoming research. The research findings indicate that the studies are published in esteemed journals that address construction conflict, are indexed in the Web of Science, and provide substantial contributions to the fields of construction and management. This finding is particularly significant for higher education students and academics planning to submit articles on conflict and conflict management since it provides guidance on which journals to target. The network of co-occurrence keywords analysis in VOSviewer reveals that the primary keywords in the articles are strategic management, construction, construction management, and project management. This is especially important for students, scholars, professionals, and individuals aiming to specialize in conflict and conflict management because it highlights the crucial terms and groups of words they should prioritize in their research within this domain. Moreover, the findings of the study demonstrate that China, the United States, and Australia are among the most active countries in strategic conflict management research. The study’s results also showed the authors who collaborated the most in this field. For those working in this field of research and seeking careers, this outcome matters since it shows the countries that generate the most cited and popular research, as well as the authors who are eager to collaborate.

This study provides significant contributions by introducing management tools that construction professionals can integrate into practice, guiding their conflict management strategies. Additionally, this section maps out the body of work in construction conflict management, offering valuable insights to researchers intending to study or already working in this field.

The present investigation has certain limitations. This study exclusively examined articles indexed in the WoS database for quantitative analysis. Subsequent research may examine various database types and publications, comparing the findings of this study. Additionally, this review includes studies published up to 2024 in Civil Engineering. Further investigations can be updated in accordance with new research in this field.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to The Scientific Tecnological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK-2211/A General Domestic Ph.D. Scholarship Program) and The Council of Higher Education (100/2000 Ph.D. scholarship program) for B. UN.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.