Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Alternative Dispute Resolution Selection and Use in Construction Projects

Abstract

Belief in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) use in the construction industry is an underexplored topic. Although literature concerning the use of ADR continues to grow, previous studies, however, failed to investigate the use of ADR from the perspective of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). This study proposed a TPB model in predicting ADR selection and use by investigating salient beliefs, consisting of behavioral, normative, and control beliefs. An online open-ended questionnaire was distributed to a sample of contractors practicing in building and civil engineering works in Malaysia. Twenty-five contractors with high ADR decision-making authorities in their organizations responded to the survey and provided their salient beliefs on their choice of ADR. The sets of beliefs from the online survey were then qualitatively content analyzed and reclassified into nine stable sets of theoretical constructs. The application of revised TPB model is further demonstrated by using a simulated nonpayment scenario. The calculation of intention overall validates the model’s application.