The effect of attitudinal differences on interface conflict on large construction projects: The case of the Pak Mun Dam project

Two categories of conflicts are normally encountered on large construction projects: internal conflicts and interface conflicts. Internal conflicts are experienced among the project participants, whereas interface conflicts are between the construction project and groups outside the project. Many large construction projects often experience interface conflicts because of the conflicting requirements or priorities from different groups. This paper examines the attitudes of five groups of stakeholders on the factors leading to the interface conflicts experienced on the Pak Mun Dam project in Thailand. The study was conducted by using questionnaire surveys on five groups of respondents: the groups affected by the project, the project participants (project owner, contractors, consultants, designers), nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and the interested organizations, academics and experts, and the local government officials. The results show that these five groups have different attitudes toward the factors leading to the interface conflicts encountered on the projects; and it is the differences in attitudes that generated conflicts. The order of importance of the factors leading to conflicts was identified and relationships among factors were established. The key variables were then grouped into main categories.