Intentions to Form Project Partnering in Hong Kong: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Diffusion of project partnering in the construction industry is argued to be insufficient. One possible explanation is that organizations do not intend to form project partnering. Therefore, the current research aims at developing an intention-based model according to the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Fifty-one construction-related organizations in Hong Kong participated in this research. The partial least-square approach to structural equation modeling was used to examine the TPB model. The results indicated that perceived partnering outcomes positively and significantly predicted attitudes toward the partnering behavior, which, in turn, positively and significantly predicted partnering intentions. Past experience also played a role in the intention-based model. Both significant and nonsignificant relationships help explain the nature of project partnering. The research contributes to the existing literature by taking the first step to empirically study the role of intentions in project partnering. Moreover, the study explores the application of the TPB in explaining behaviors at the organizational level. Further research and practical implications have been provided.