2023-10-12
Publication
Buildings 2023, 13, 2578
Citation: Lin, S.; Li, K.; Cheung, S.
Managing Disputes for a Sustainable
Construction: A Perspective of
Settlement Facilitating Elements in
Negotiations. Buildings 2023, 13, 2578.
https://doi.org/10.3390/
buildings13102578
Academic Editor:
Jurgita Antucheviciene
Received: 4 September 2023
Revised: 9 October 2023
Accepted: 11 October 2023
Published: 12 October 2023
Quality Indicators
Peer Reviewed
Relevance to the Centre
Construction 4.0 presents a multitude of opportunities; however, it also increases the chance of disputes. Efficient dispute management contributes to the sustainable production of construction works. Enhancing negotiation management and negotiators’ settlement ability is valuable, given that negotiation is recognized as the most effective dispute resolution method. This study explores negotiation settlement by identifying negotiators’ settlement facilitating elements in construction dispute negotiation (CDN). A purposive literature review identified six key elements, naming preparation, integration, goodwill, continuity, commitment, and self-efficacy. With data collected from experienced construction dispute negotiators, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) results confirmed the significance of these elements. Accordingly, recommendations for negotiators include technique (i.e., good preparation and applying integrative tactics); (ii) interaction (i.e., showing goodwill and relationship maintenance); and (iii) attitude (i.e., commitment to negotiate and being confident) if the negotiation settlement is desired. Management can implement these recommendations in their training manual to cultivate negotiators’ problem solving and settlement-oriented mindset. Negotiators can also review their behaviors throughout the negotiations and make timely adjustments as deemed necessary. Reaching an amicable negotiated settlement would not only save resources, preserving business relationships is of equal importance for a sustainable construction industry.