Effects of Relationship and Contract Governance on Construction Project Performance: Review and Prospects

The techniques and tools from traditional project management theory, which are prompted to enhance project performance are not as that they were before. Project governance has gradually become a new important approach to improve project performance. Many research have been conducted for project governance from different perspectives. This paper reviews and summarizes the existing literatures. Then discussion is made from three aspects: contractual governance, relational governance and the relationship between them. The definition of key concepts, research methods and the limits in existing literatures is listed out especially. Future research direction is suggested finally. The studies in China are mentioned specially. Because China has a very large scale of construction market and the relation is a very important factor that must be considered during project stages.