Causation network analysis of collusion behavior between tenderers and bidders in construction project

Abstract

This paper extracts the causes of collusion behavior based on literature analysis and expert interviews and obtains collusion causation data. The Apriori algorithm is used to mine the relationship between the causes of collusion behavior, and the network model of the causes of collusion behavior is constructed. The successive failures theory mines the most easily evolved causation chain of collusion behavior. The study results showed that: (1) The critical causes of the formation of collusion are self-discipline consciousness and difficulty of investigation. The strong control ability of causation network of collusion behavior is self-discipline consciousness, difficulty of investigation, and transparency of rights operation. (2) Based on the analysis of the group case data, eight causation chains are most likely to form collusion in actual cases, among which the causation chain of collusion behavior that occurs frequently is “difficulty of investigation⟶self-discipline consciousness⟶interest chain”. (3) In view of the causation nodes in the causation chain of collusion behavior, we propose more effective preventive and preventive control measures for collusion between bidders and tenderers in construction projects from three aspects, namely, behavior awareness binding, collusion implementation dilemma and collusion supervision deterrence.