Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management

Korea Institute of Construction Engineering and Management (한국건설관리학회)
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Cultural Aspect of Conflict Behaviour in Construction -A Case Study from Turkey

  • Babaoglu, F.Fusun Ertan (Department of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University) ;
  • Giritli, Heyecan (Department of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University)
  • Published : 2017.06.01
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Abstract

Although much research has been conducted to identify the influence of culture on conflict management and resolution behaviours in organizational settings, no study has been done yet in the construction industry particularly in considering the influence of individual level individualistic and collectivistic values. Despite the key role of self-construal in explaining or predicting behaviour in interpersonal conflict, it has not received enough attention in construction management. Reflecting this necessity, the objective of this exploratory study was to establish, through the application of the Rahim Organizational Inventory (ROC II) instrument, how the cultural values of professionals of construction businesses relate to the application of different conflict-handling styles through self-construal. Data were collected using questionnaire surveys from construction professionals working in contracting firms. The findings illustrate the importance of self-construal type as an individual-level cultural variable in explaining the differences in the style of handling interpersonal conflict in the context of the construction industry.

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