Influence of Confucianism and Taoism on Construction Dispute Handling Behaviors in China

Abstract

With the increase in foreign investments in the Chinese capital market and the rising number of dispute between the Chinese partners with the foreign counterparts, it is of practical and academic value to understand the Chinese management approach in handling construction disputes. Confucianism and Taoism are considered to be the important cultural pillars that have shaped the behaviors of Chinese people deeply. Confucianism and Taoism are regularly mentioned when cultural impact on management style is discussed. In these regards, the research reported in this paper aims to explore how Confucianism and Taoism affect approach in handling dispute. A review of the underlying core moral values of Confucianism and Taoism is conducted. These moral values are operationalized to enable a survey that collected data to evaluate the happening of these moral values in handling construction dispute in China. Forbearance and benevolence are the core cultural values that influence the ways construction disputes are handled. When the background of the respondents is considered, job position and the nature of the company appear to be pivotal. Cultural impact is manifested at individual level; moreover the cultural influence is curtailed by the roles of dispute handlers in their organizations.