E-commerce and the construction industry

E-commerce has become a household name over the past few years, partly due to the phenomenal growth of the internet and advanced electronic communications. Various new business models and approaches for E-commerce have appeared and are now being embraced, representing a digital economy to replace the industrial economy of the last century. For traditional business around the world, E-commerce has sometimes been perceived as an opportunity or a threat. The rapid emergence of dot com culture has forced traditional big businesses, including construction organisations, to seriously consider E-commerce solutions as part of their business operations. While the construction industry plays an important role in the well being of the economy, the traditional image of the construction industry has often been one of an under-developed industrial sector. The emergence of E-commerce may therefore have the potential of bringing construction on par with other developed industries. This research suggests that different models and solutions are emerging in the market for E-commerce in construction. At present, industry's attitude towards E-commerce tends to be positive, albeit one in its infancy. The major issues may therefore be attributed to the lack of industry wide standards and agreement on a collective framework for E-commerce. The complex nature of construction, its processes and cultural issues involve commitment from all sectors of the industry for the eventual realisation of successful E-commerce.