Title: The influence of contractual complexity on opportunistic behaviour: moderating role of formal control

Authors: Malik Muhammad Irfan Aslam; Saif Ul Haq; Muhammad Ahsan Chughtai; Qurratulain Ahsan

Addresses: Department of Management Sciences, Bahria University, Lahore Campus, Pakistan ' Department of Management Sciences, Bahria University, Lahore Campus, Pakistan ' Department of Management Sciences, Bahria University, Lahore Campus, Pakistan ' Lahore Business School, The University of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract: The main aim of this study is to assess the influence of contractual complexity on opportunistic behaviour in the construction industry. The opportunistic behaviour of the project participants/partners may inversely affect the project outcomes. In the current study, the contractual complexity has been conceptualised through contractual adaptation and contractual coordination. This study targeted the professionals from construction industries of Pakistan and data were collected from 208 professionals to measure the influence of contractual complexity on opportunistic behaviour. The results of the study reveal that contractual adaptation and contractual coordination are useful to curb opportunistic behaviour. In addition, the results also show that the relationship between, contractual coordination and opportunistic behaviour is moderated by the formal control. Furthermore, findings of the study provide significant insights for construction to curb opportunism and to formulate the complex contracts in the presence of formal control mechanisms.

Keywords: contractual complexity; contractual coordination; contractual adaptation; formal control; opportunistic behaviour; construction industry.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.121390

Middle East Journal of Management, 2022 Vol.9 No.2, pp.107 - 126

Received: 27 Oct 2020
Accepted: 02 Dec 2020

Published online: 10 Mar 2022 *

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