Unveiling the buffering role of prior ties in relationship conflict management in the construction industry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2025.23309Abstract
Relationship conflict is commonplace during the cooperation period between the general contractor and subcontractor. However, how to prevent the adverse effect arising from relationship conflict on the final project outcome is scarce, especially in empirical studies. Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, a theoretical model revealing the underlying deteriorating mechanism (relational behavior) and corresponding prevention strategies (prior ties) is developed. Based on 174 questionnaires collected from the Chinese construction industry, the model and proposed hypotheses are empirically examined. The results suggest that relationship conflict between the general contractor and subcontractor harms cooperation performance, and relational behavior mediates this relationship. If the general contractor and subcontractor have a prior cooperative relationship, the devasting impact of relationship conflict can be undermined. These findings deepen the understanding of the underlying mechanism by which relationship conflict impairs the final cooperation performance and afford insights into relationship conflict management from a pre-prevention perspective.
Keywords:
relational behavior, relationship conflict, conservation of resources (COR) theory, prior tiesHow to Cite
Share
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Agarwal, U. A., & Anantatmula, V. (2023). Psychological safety effects on knowledge sharing in project teams. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 70(11), 3876–3886. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2021.3087313
Agarwal, U. A., Dixit, V., Nikolova, N., Jain, K., & Sankaran, S. (2021). A psychological contract perspective of vertical and distributed leadership in project-based organizations. International Journal of Project Management, 39(3), 249–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2020.12.004
Akintoye, A., & Main, J. (2007). Collaborative relationships in construction: The UK contractors’ perception. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 14(6), 597–617. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980710829049
Al-Sibaie, E. Z., Alashwal, A. M., Abdul-Rahman, H., & Zolkafli, U. K. (2014). Determining the relationship between conflict factors and performance of international construction projects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 21(4), 369–382. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-03-2014-0034
Antia, K. D., & Frazier, G. L. (2001). The severity of contract enforcement in interfirm channel relationships. Journal of Marketing, 65(4), 67–81. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.65.4.67.18385
Burt, R. S. (2000). The network structure of social capital. In Research in organizational behavior (Vol. 22). Elsevier Masson SAS. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0191-3085(00)22009-1
Buvik, M. P., & Rolfsen, M. (2015). Prior ties and trust development in project teams – A case study from the construction industry. International Journal of Project Management, 33(7), 1484–1494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.06.002
Chalker, M., & Loosemore, M. (2016). Trust and productivity in Australian construction projects: A subcontractor perspective. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 23(2), 192–210. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-06-2015-0090
Chen, Y. Q., Zhang, Y. B., & Zhang, S. J. (2014). Impacts of different types of owner-contractor conflict on cost performance in construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(6), Article 04014017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000852
Chen, Y., Chen, Y., Liu, Z., & Yao, H. (2018). Influence of prior ties on trust in contract enforcement in the construction industry: Moderating role of the shadow of the future. Journal of Management in Engineering, 34(2), Article 04017064. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000584
Dainty, A. R. J., Briscoe, G. H., & Millett, S. J. (2001). Subcontractor perspectives on supply chain alliances. Construction Management and Economics, 19(8), 841–848. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446190110089727
Dainty, A. R. J., Cheng, M. I., & Moore, D. R. (2004). A competency-based performance model for construction project managers. Construction Management and Economics, 22(8), 877–886. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144619042000202726
Dalal, D. K., Carter, N. T., & Lake, C. J. (2014). Middle response scale options are inappropriate for ideal point scales. Journal of Business and Psychology, 29(3), 463–478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-013-9326-5
De Dreu, C. K. W., & Weingart, L. R. (2003). Task versus relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(4), 741–749. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.4.741
Eriksson, P. E., Nilsson, T., & Atkin, B. (2008). Client perceptions of barriers to partnering. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Managemen, 15(6), 527–539. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699980810916979
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
Gilsing, V. A., & Duysters, G. M. (2008). Understanding novelty creation in exploration networks – Structural and relational embeddedness jointly considered. Technovation, 28(10), 693–708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2008.03.004
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
Halbesleben, J. R. B., Neveu, J. P., Paustian-Underdahl, S. C., & Westman, M. (2014). Getting to the “COR”: Understanding the role of resources in conservation of resources theory. Journal of Management, 40(5), 1334–1364. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206314527130
Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. Guilford Press.
Hinze, J., & Tracey, A. (1994). The contractor-subcontractor relationship: The subcontractor’s view. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 120(2), 274–287. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1994)120:2(274)
Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.44.3.513
Hobfoll, S. E. (2011). Conservation of resource caravans and engaged settings. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 84(1), 116–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.2010.02016.x
Hoppner, J. J., & Griffith, D. (2011). The role of reciprocity in clarifying the performance payoff of relational Behavior. Journal of Marketing Research, 48, 920–928. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.48.5.920
Imam, H. (2021). Roles of shared leadership, autonomy, and knowledge sharing in construction project success. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 147(7), Article 04021067. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002084
Iyiola, K., & Rjoub, H. (2020). Using conflict management in improving owners and contractors relationship quality in the construction industry: The mediation role of trust. Sage Open, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019898834
Jehn, K. A. (2015). A qualitative analysis of conflict types and dimensions in organizational groups. Administrative Science Quarterly, 42(3), 530–557. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393737
Jia, J., Ma, G., Wu, Z., Wu, M., & Jiang, S. (2021). Unveiling the impact of task conflict on construction project performance: Mediating role of knowledge integration. Journal of Management in Engineering, 37(6), Article 04021060. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000963
Kalton, G., Roberts, J., & Holt, D. (1980). The effects of offering a middle response option with opinion questions. The Statistician, 29(1), 65–78. https://doi.org/10.2307/2987495
Kennedy, D. M., Sommer, S. A., & Anh, P. (2017). Optimizing multi-team system behaviors: Insights from modeling team communication. European Journal of Operational Research, 258(1), 264–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2016.08.036
Khosravi, P., Rezvani, A., & Ashkanasy, N. M. (2020). Emotional intelligence: A preventive strategy to manage destructive influence of conflict in large scale projects. International Journal of Project Management, 38(1), 36–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2019.11.001
Lecoutre, M., & Lièvre, P. (2010). Mobilizing social networks beyond project team frontiers: The case of polar expeditions. Project Management Journal, 41(3), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmj.20186
Lee, C.-Y., & Chong, H.-Y. (2021). Influence of prior ties on trust and contract functions for BIM-enabled EPC megaproject performance. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 147(7), Article 04021057. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002076
Lee, C., Won, J. W., Jang, W., Jung, W., Han, S. H., & Kwak, Y. H. (2017). Social conflict management framework for project viability: Case studies from Korean megaprojects. International Journal of Project Management, 35(8), 1683–1696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.07.011
Ling, F. Y. Y., Ning, Y., Ke, Y., & Kumaraswamy, M. M. (2013). Modeling relational transaction and relationship quality among team members in public projects in Hong Kong. Automation in Construction, 36, 16–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.08.006
Ling, F. Y. Y., Ong, S. Y., Ke, Y., Wang, S., & Zou, P. (2014). Drivers and barriers to adopting relational contracting practices in public projects: Comparative study of Beijing and Sydney. International Journal of Project Management, 32(2), 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2013.04.008
Lioukas, C. S., & Reuer, J. J. (2015). Isolating trust outcomes from exchange relationships: Social exchange and learning benefits of prior ties in alliances. Academy of Management Journal, 58(6), 1826–1847. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2011.0934
Liu, J., Yang, P., Xia, B., & Skitmore, M. (2017). Effect of perceived justice on subcontractor willingness to cooperate: The mediating role of relationship value. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 143(9), Article 04017062. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)co.1943-7862.0001350
Liu, B., Wu, G., Müller, R., Chen, H., & Li, L. (2021). Exploring the effects of horizontal leaders’ presence on team members’ job burnout: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Management in Engineering, 37(6), Article 04021073. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000975
Liu, C., Cao, J., Duan, K. & Wu, G. (2022). Effect of network position on inter-team conflict and project success in megaprojects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. 30(10), 4955–4977. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2022-0438
Lu, S., & Yan, H. (2007). An empirical study on incentives of strategic partnering in China: Views from construction companies. International Journal of Project Management, 25(3), 241–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.08.004
Lu, W., & Guo, W. (2019). The rffect of task conflict on relationship quality: The mediating role of relational behavior. Negotiation and Conflict Management Research, 12(4), 297–321. https://doi.org/10.1111/ncmr.12150
Lu, W., Guo, W., & Zhu, Q. (2020). Effect of justice on contractor’s relational behavior: Moderating role of owner’s asset specificity. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(4), Article 04020020. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001795
Lui, S. S., Wong, Y. yee, & Liu, W. (2009). Asset specificity roles in interfirm cooperation: Reducing opportunistic behavior or increasing cooperative behavior?. Journal of Business Research, 62(11), 1214–1219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2008.08.003
Lumineau, F., & Henderson, J. E. (2012). The influence of relational experience and contractual governance on the negotiation strategy in buyer-supplier disputes. Journal of Operations Management, 30(5), 382–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2012.03.005
Lumineau, F., Eckerd, S., & Handley, S. (2015). Inter-organizational conflicts. Journal of Strategic Contracting and Negotiation, 1(1), 42–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055563614568493
Macneil, I. R. (1980). Power, contract, and the economic model. Journal of Economic Issues, 14(4), 909–923. https://doi.org/10.1080/00213624.1980.11503791
Mahamid, I. (2017). Analysis of common factors leading to conflicts between contractors and their subcontractors in building construction projects. Australian Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering, 13(1), 18–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/14488388.2017.1342515
Manata, B., Garcia, A. J., Mollaoglu, S., & Miller, V. D. (2021). The effect of commitment differentiation on integrated project delivery team dynamics: The critical roles of goal alignment, communication behaviors, and decision quality. International Journal of Project Management, 39(3), 259–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2020.12.003
Martin, L., & Benson, L. (2021). Relationship quality in construction projects: A subcontractor perspective of principal contractor relationships. International Journal of Project Management, 39(6), 633–645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2021.05.002
Meng, X. (2012). The effect of relationship management on project performance in construction. International Journal of Project Management, 30(2), 188–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2011.04.002
Mubarak, N., Khan, J., & Khan, A. K. (2022). Psychological distress and project success: The moderating role of employees’ resilience and mindfulness. International Journal of Project Management, 40(5), 566–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2022.05.004
Ning, Y. (2014). Quantitative effects of drivers and barriers on networking strategies in public construction projects. International Journal of Project Management, 32(2), 286–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2013.04.003
Ning, Y., & Ling, F. Y. Y. (2013). Reducing hindrances to adoption of relational behaviors in public construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 139(11), Article 4013017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000745
Ning, Y., & Ling, F. Y. Y. (2015). The effects of project characteristics on adopting relational transaction strategies. International Journal of Project Management, 33(5), 998–1007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.12.006
Öberg, C., Dahlin, P., & Pesämaa, O. (2020). Tension in networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 91, 311–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2020.10.001
Paulraj, A., Lado, A. A., & Chen, I. J. (2008). Inter-organizational communication as a relational competency: Antecedents and performance outcomes in collaborative buyer-supplier relationships. Journal of Operations Management, 26(1), 45–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2007.04.001
Pinto, J. K., Patanakul, P., & Pinto, M. B. (2016). Project personnel, job demands, and workplace burnout: The differential effects of job title and project type. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 63(1), 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2015.2509163
Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J. Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
Poppo, L., & Zenger, T. (2002). Do formal contracts and relational governance function as substitutes or complements?. Strategic Management Journal, 23(8), 707–725. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.249
Rau, D. (2005). The influence of relationship conflict and trust on the transactive memory performance relation in top management teams. Small Group Research, 36(6), 746–771. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046496405281776
Scott, B. A. (2016). The dark side of transformational leader behaviors for leaders themselves: A conservation of resources perspective. University of Georgia.
Sezen, B., & Yilmaz, C. (2007). Relative effects of dependence and trust on flexibility, information exchange, and solidarity in marketing channels. Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, 22(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1108/08858620710722815
Shaukat, R., Yousaf, A., & Sanders, K. (2017). Examining the linkages between relationship conflict, performance and turnover intentions: Role of job burnout as a mediator. International Journal of Conflict Management, 28(1), 4–23. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-08-2015-0051
Suprapto, M., Bakker, H. L. M., Mooi, H. G., & Hertogh, M. J. C. M. (2016). How do contract types and incentives matter to project performance?. International Journal of Project Management, 34(6), 1071–1087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.08.003
Tan, Y., Xue, B., & Cheung, Y. T. (2017). Relationships between main contractors and subcontractors and their impacts on main contractor competitiveness: An empirical study in Hong Kong. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 143(7), Article 05017007. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001311
Valdés-llaneza, A., & García-Canal, E. (2015). The devil you know? A review of the literature on the impact of prior ties on strategic alliances. Management Research, 13(3), 334–358. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRJIAM-09-2015-0608
Vaux, J. S., & Kirk, W. M. (2018). Relationship conflict in construction management: Performance and productivity problem. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(6), Article 04018032. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001478
Wang, Q., Cai, D. A., & Fink, E. L. (2012). The effect of conflict goals on avoidance strategies: What does not communicating communicate?. Human Communication Research, 38(2), 222–252. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1066821
Wu, G., Zhao, X., & Zuo, J. (2017a). Effects of inter-organizational conflicts on construction project added value in China. International Journal of Conflict Management, 28(5), 695–723. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-03-2017-0025
Wu, G., Zhao, X., & Zuo, J. (2017b). Relationship between project’s added value and the trust–conflict interaction among project teams. Journal of Management in Engineering, 33(4), Article 04017011. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000525
Wu, G., Zhao, X., Zuo, J., & Zillante, G. (2018). Effects of contractual flexibility on conflict and project success in megaprojects. International Journal of Conflict Management, 29(2), 253–278. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-06-2017-0051
Yang, X., Wang, L., Zhu, F., & Müller, R. (2022). Prior and governed stakeholder relationships: The key to resilience of inter-organizational projects. International Journal of Project Management, 40(1), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2021.10.001
Zhang, S., Fu, Y., & Kang, F. (2018). How to foster contractors’ cooperative behavior in the Chinese construction industry: Direct and interaction effects of power and contract. International Journal of Project Management, 36(7), 940–953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2018.05.004
Zhang, C., Cavusgil, S. T., & Roath, A. S. (2003). Manufacturer governance of foreign distributor relationships: Do relational norms enhance competitiveness in the export market?. Journal of International Business Studies, 34(6), 550–566. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400051
Zhang, S., Kwok, R. C. W., Lowry, P. B., Liu, Z., & Wu, J. (2019). The influence of role stress on self-disclosure on social networking sites: A conservation of resources perspective. Information & Management, 56(7), Article 103147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2019.02.002
Zheng, X., Lu, Y., Le, Y., Li, Y., & Fang, J. (2018). Formation of interorganizational relational behavior in megaprojects: Perspective of the extended theory of planned behavior. Journal of Management in Engineering, 34(1), Article 04017052. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)me.1943-5479.0000560
Zheng, X., Chen, J., Han, Y., Ren, L., & Shi, Q. (2021). Unveiling complex relational behavior in megaprojects: A qualitative-quantitative network approach. International Journal of Project Management, 39(7), 738–749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2021.07.001
Zhu, F., Wang, X., Wang, L., & Yu, M. (2021). Project manager’s emotional intelligence and project performance: The mediating role of project commitment. International Journal of Project Management, 39(7), 788–798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2021.08.002
View article in other formats
CrossMark check
Published
Issue
Section
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.