TECHNICAL PAPERS
Apr 1, 2005

Disputes and Dispute Resolution Systems in Sino-Foreign Joint Venture Construction Projects in China

Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 131, Issue 2

Abstract

There has been a sharp increase in the number of Sino-Foreign Joint Venture (SFJV) construction projects in the People’s Republic of China since the 1990s. Despite the Chinese Government’s new measures for boosting foreign involvements, entering into the construction market remains problematic for many foreign contractors. One of the problems concerns construction disputes. In light of this, this paper reports a study on disputes and dispute resolution systems in SFJVs. A questionnaire survey of 41 practitioners in the field was carried out. The main purpose was to identify the most common sources of disputes and the most commonly used dispute resolution methods in SFJVs. Results show that the sources of construction disputes can be classified into three categories: contractual, cultural, and legal matters. The most commonly used dispute resolution methods are mediation and arbitration. These findings will give both Chinese and foreign contractors invaluable insights into disputes and dispute resolution systems in SFJV projects.

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Acknowledgments

The research team members would like to express their appreciation to the Secretary-General of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and members of HKIAC for their information and participation in this research project. The work described in this study was supported by a research grant of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

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Go to Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 131Issue 2April 2005
Pages: 141 - 148

History

Received: Dec 1, 2003
Accepted: Sep 9, 2004
Published online: Apr 1, 2005
Published in print: Apr 2005

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Authors

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Edwin H. W. Chan
Associate Professor, Dept. of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ., Kowloon, HKSAR.
Henry C. H. Suen
Research Associate, Dept. of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ., Kowloon, HKSAR.

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