Int. J. Management and Decision Making, Vol. 12, No. 4, 2013 351 Copyright © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. An empirical study of researchers’ and practitioners’ views on compensating major highway project contractors Fani Antoniou and Georgios N. Aretoulis* Faculty of Engineering, Department of Construction Equipment and Management, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Campus, Egnatia Street, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: fanton@egnatia.gr E-mail: garet@civil.auth.gr *Corresponding author Dimitrios K. Konstantinidis Department of Civil Infrastructure Engineering, School of Technological Applications, Alexander Technological Educational Institute, 57400, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: dkon@cie.teithe.gr Glykeria P. Kalfakakou Faculty of Engineering, Department of Construction Equipment and Management, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Campus, Egnatia Street, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail: riak@civil.auth.gr Abstract: Choosing the most appropriate contract type (CT) for compensating major highway project contractors is a decision that has to be taken by highway procurement authorities within their country’s legal, economic and social framework. The research carried out to date on the use of various CTs for the construction of infrastructure projects in general and for highway projects in particular is highlighted and utilised to determine the most frequently used CTs and the most commonly considered selection criteria (SC). The information obtained was included in a questionnaire survey that assessed the performance of each CT against each SC according to the perceptions of engineers with experience in highway procurement processes both in Greece and abroad. Ultimately, the initial results of the survey in comparison to the expectations resulting from the literature review are discussed. Keywords: contract type; contractor compensation; infrastructure projects; procurement; Greece; management; decision making; highway projects.