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dc.contributorMulti-disciplinary Studiesen_US
dc.contributorDepartment of Building and Real Estateen_US
dc.creatorTam, Po-kuen-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/4437-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic University-
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleAlternative dispute resolution : effectiveness & its acceptability to the construction industry of the HKSARen_US
dcterms.abstractIt is generally accepted that disputes in Hong Kong's construction industry are inevitable. Such disputes may be settled either through informal negotiation processes, or by adopting the formal processes of litigation, arbitration, or any one of a number of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures, such as mediation and adjudication. This study started by investigating exactly what ADR actually is, and why and how ADR is used in the Hong Kong construction industry. It continued by assessing the impact on ADR of Hong Kong's reversion to China, with particular regard to dispute resolution practices in the People's Republic of China (PRC), and explored cultural attitudes towards dispute resolution. Human factors, which may influence the approach towards dispute resolution, such as the desire to maintain good business relationships, the avoidance of conflict, and the willingness to compromise, were explored. The hypothesis was that such human factors are influenced by cultural upbringing and that by understanding this, more suitable forms of dispute resolution may be devised to suit a particular culture; the research focused primarily on the differences between the Chinese and Western culture. The study found that the two most practised and effective methods used to settle disputes, both in Hong Kong and China, are by commercial settlement (an informal approach) followed by mediation. Furthermore, the study revealed most people's preference for an informal approach to the settlement of disputes rather than resorting to formal procedures written in the contract. Finally, the results of the research, which involved a review of previous studies, a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews, supported the hypothesis. The thesis concludes with a recommendation that further studies, in relation to construction contract dispute resolution, within the context of the Chinese culture should be undertaken.en_US
dcterms.extentiii, 105, [50] leaves ; 30 cmen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued1998en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Masteren_US
dcterms.educationalLevelM.Sc.en_US
dcterms.LCSHConstruction contracts -- China -- Hong Kongen_US
dcterms.LCSHDispute resolution (Law) -- China -- Hong Kongen_US
dcterms.LCSHArbitration and award -- China -- Hong Kongen_US
dcterms.LCSHMediation -- China -- Hong Kongen_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.accessRightsrestricted accessen_US

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/4437