Quality Criteria for Conflict Communication within Infrastructure Projects

Abstract

This paper aims at a deeper understanding about which quality criteria for conflict communication (formats) within infrastructure projects are perceived as important by inhabitants of energy regions. The study combines interview guideline and preliminary questionnaire. The research questions are:•What are quality characteristics for conflict communication formats, and why?•Can you imagine conflict communication is possible under distance conditions? If yes, how?The respondents have experience with energy and/or mobility infrastructure projects and are well-informed about the region. As important quality criteria for conflict communication, the interviewees mention professional planning with phases of preparation and follow-up, professional and neutral moderation, an appropriate choice of setting (e.g., external environment), the linguistic quality of measurements (wording, target group-specific address, comprehensibility). Despite the digitalization accelerated by the pandemic, there is a preference for face-to-face formats, but many respondents predict a high acceptance of hybrid events in the future.