Recognizing and coordinating multidimensional dynamic stakeholder value conflicts for sustainability-oriented Construction Land Reduction projects in Shanghai, China: An integrated SA-SNA-TRIZ approach

Abstract

As a characteristic new means for China to curb the excessive and disordered expansion of construction land, Construction Land Reduction (CLR) plays a significant role in achieving the sustainable use of land resources in economic, ecological and social terms. However, frequent value conflicts inevitably arise over diverse value appeals of various stakeholders throughout all phases of CLR projects, which has greatly impeded the effective implementation of CLR projects in China. To systematically recognize and strategically coordinate stakeholder value conflicts regarding multidimensional dynamic values under limited management resources and insufficient project experience, this study proposes an integrated SA (stakeholder analysis) - SNA (social network analysis) - TRIZ (theory of inventive problem solving) approach built on a systematic framework for stakeholder value conflict management. An empirical study on Shanghai's CLR projects is conducted to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed approach. A total of 280 pairs of value conflicts over 53 value appeals of 11 stakeholders are identified during the four phases of CLR projects in the SA-based conflict identification process, with 4 key value appeals and 21 key value conflicts prioritized in the SNA-based criticality evaluation process. Through the TRIZ-based strategy proposal process, 31 targeted coordination strategies are proposed, from which six major managerial and policy implications for CLR can be distilled. Methodologically, this study contributes to conflict management research by providing an integrated SA-SNA-TRIZ approach with a novel systematic methodological framework. Practically, the research outcomes provide policy makers and practitioners with useful new insights into managing stakeholder value conflicts, thereby driving successful project implementation and facilitating sustainability practices.