From Taxonomy to Causality: Exploring Construction Dispute Factors Using a Gaussian KGE, CN, and DEMATEL-Based Approach

Abstract

Despite advances in construction project management and technology, disputes remain a persistent challenge that significantly undermines project quality, cost, and schedule performance. A major reason is that dispute causes are often multifaceted and interdependent, yet existing studies commonly focus on identifying factors. To address this gap, this study first identifies and consolidates construction dispute factors through a three-step triangulated screening process using 63 journal articles from Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and the ASCE Library and 62 dispute cases published by the Supreme People’s Court of China and Arbitration Commissions. Building on the resulting taxonomy, Gaussian knowledge graph embedding (KGE) combined with the complex network (CN) analysis is applied to quantify interfactor relations and reduce subjectivity. Finally, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method is employed to transform these quantified relations into a structured cause–effect network within the taxonomy. The results indicate that (1) 15 key dispute factors are identified; (2) these factors form a four-domain taxonomy, i.e., environment, process, contract, and behavior; and (3) the cause–effect network reveals that contract ambiguity, contract inconsistency, and contract deficiency are decisive driving causes, whereas engineering changes, work delays, cost overruns, and opportunistic behaviors are predominantly effect factors. These findings clarify the mechanism through which disputes emerge and escalate, and provide actionable guidance, like preaward contract quality checks and stronger change-management practices for dispute mitigation.