Evaluation model for influences of driving forces for electronic procurement systems application in Ghanaian construction projects

Recent recognition for increased digitization of construction processes presents an important need to accelerate electronic procurement systems (EPS) application on projects. The EPS uptake rate in construction is relatively low, and the decision process required to increase the uptake is complex due to the influences of several competing driving forces (DFs). Previous studies identified individual DFs based on experts' qualitative judgements and knowledge, which are subjective and lack the inherent clustering influences of DFs on EPS application. This study developed a fuzzy-based evaluation model for assessing DFs influences on EPS application in construction projects. The model transforms qualitative judgments into quantitative and more-usable assessments using fuzzy sets for effective long-term planning and consistent implementation decisions. A data set of 121 expert responses, resulting in 6 clusters of DFs, was applied to fuzzy logic to develop the DFs influence evaluation model. The integrity and environment-related forces and process optimization-related forces were the top two DFs clusters influencing EPS uptake. The remaining four clusters had significant influences, resulting in an overall high influence threshold. This implies that significant influence levels of the DFs clusters are required to accelerate EPS uptake on projects. This study contributes to knowledge by developing an influence model integrating subjective expressions to indicate EPS uptake within a project's environment. The model's flexibility helps to assess influences based on a decision maker's situation.