The Impact Of Communication On Project Success:The Mediating Role Of Conflict In Construction Project In Pakistan

The main focus of this study is to inquire the impact of communication on project success with the mediating role of conflict in construction industry of Pakistan.Finding the impacts of communication types and mediating roles of conflict types on project success is the main contribution of this study because construction industry of Pakistan is faced with problems of miscommunication and conflict.Empirical data is collected from large and medium scale construction companies based in Lahore city.Empirical data is tested by using Structural Equation Modelling(SEM)technique and results are deduced.All the hypotheses of the study are validated.The results showed that formal communication has a negative impact on success of a construction project resulting in conflicts among project team members whereas informal communication and communication willingness has positive impact on project success because people tend to know each other and trust is developed and communication is enhanced.Task,process and relationship conflict are used as mediating variables.It is found that task conflict impacts the relations positively because project team members suggests different ways to do a certain task and project success is achieved.On the contrary.process conflict and relationship conflict have negative impact on relation between communication and project success.Both of these conflicts lead to miscommunication and project success is compromised.Hence,it is responsibility of Project Manager(PM)to enhance communication among project team members and to reduce or minimize the detrimental effects of process and relationship conflict on project success.