Chen, Y and Kamara, J M (2005) The use of mobile computing in construction information management. In: Khosrowshahi, F (ed.) Proceedings of 21st Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-9 September 2005, London, UK.
Abstract
Construction work sites are the places where actual construction activities are carried out. However, onsite information communications are hardly supported by information technology. The advance of mobile computing gives the construction industry a powerful potential to extend the boundary of information systems to construction work sites. This paper describes an ongoing doctoral research that is aimed at exploring the potential benefits and barriers of applying mobile computing in improving onsite information communication. The specific focus of the research is on users' perspectives, such as users' requirements and preferences. The proposed methodology consists of three steps: (a) a pilot study; (b) a survey to investigate the information needs of onsite users and the current approaches to information communication; and (c) an experimental research to explore users' perception of using mobile computing within a real construction context. After comparing and analyzing results from the primary study, findings will be used to assess the barriers between people and technologies, the perception of users, and the potential opportunities of mobile computing in onsite information management.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction site; information communication; mobile computing |
| Index terms: | information technology, preference, construction industry, information system, construction work, methodology, mobile computing, survey, construction site, construction activity, onsite |
| Subjects: | construction operations, operations management, work location, digital technology, computing systems, data collection methods, information systems, industry analysis, building construction, decision-making and reasoning, research methods |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Site Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here