Trust, Relational Governance, and Contract Performance in Nigerian Construction Subcontracting Relationships

Trust and relational governance are theoretically important complements to formal contracting in construction subcontracting, yet their empirical role in Nigerian subcontract performance has not been established. This study examines the relationships between trust, relational governance mechanisms, and subcontract performance in the Nigerian construction industry. A cross-sectional survey will recruit 240 main contractors and subcontractors from large construction projects in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. The Trust in Business Relationships Scale (TBRS) will measure cognitive and affective trust, relational governance will be assessed through joint planning, information sharing, and conflict resolution intensity, and subcontract performance will be rated across cost, quality, and schedule dimensions. Structural equation modeling will test the theoretical model. Nigerian construction subcontracting is characterized by high informality and interpersonal trust substituting for formal governance mechanisms, making this an important context for relational contracting theory. Findings will contribute to construction contract management theory and provide practical guidance for subcontractor relationship management in Nigerian project environments. Keywords: trust, relational governance, construction subcontracting, contract performance, Nigeria