Analysis of common factors leading to conflicts between contractors and their subcontractors in building construction projects. Issue 1 (1st January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahamid, Ibrahim
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of multi-disciplinary engineering. Volume 13:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2017-01-01
• Subjects: Subcontractors -- contractors -- conflicts -- importance index -- construction industry; Engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Australia -- Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1080/14488388.2017.1342515
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1448-8388

Abstract

Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to identify the factors that have the potential to negatively affect the relation between the main contractors and their subcontractors in building projects in Palestine and to determine their level of severity, frequency and importance from contractors' viewpoint. A total of 31 factors were identified in this study through a careful review of literature and suggestions from local experts in construction industry. A questionnaire survey was used to achieve the objectives of this study. Contractors have ranked the following factors as top five important factors with high potential to negatively affect the relation between the main contractors and their subcontractors: non-adherence of the subcontractor to the time schedule, contractor delay in contract progress payments, frequent change orders by the owner, lack of experience of the subcontractor in similar projects and low experience and low capability of the main contractor. The results also show that these five factors are the top five severe factors. While the top five frequent factors are: non-adherence of the subcontractor to the time schedule, awarding the work to the subcontractor with lowest price, shortage of skilled labour with the sub contractor, frequent change orders by the owner and contractor delay in contract progress payments. The study also established regression models that show the impact of the main factors on conflicts between the contractors–subcontractors. This study is the first study undertaken to address the relationship between contractors and their subcontractors in construction projects the West Bank in Palestine, and so its results could guide the construction parties to improve performance in the construction industry in Palestine. It is hoped that other developing countries will benefit from this study.