Zhang, X; Liu, T; Rahman, A and Zhou, L (2023) Blockchain applications for construction contract management: A systematic literature review. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 149(1): 03122011, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Recently, there has been increasing interest in the research of blockchain applications in construction contract management (CCM). CCM is currently flawed, mainly lacking in information sharing, on-time payment processes, and an easily traceable supply chain. Applying blockchain-based applications can achieve autotransaction processes, create a secure information delivery environment, and promote collaboration among organizations. This research aims to discuss the application of blockchain technology in construction contract management, evaluate the benefits and drawbacks associated with blockchain application, and propose recommended strategies to facilitate the smooth implementation of blockchain technology for improved construction contract management practices. A systematic literature review is used as the main research, and content analysis is employed for analyzing the literature. The literature analysis shows that blockchain application in CCM mainly falls under three areas: information management; payment management; and supply chain management. Under each area, the current drawbacks in CCM, as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with blockchain applications, are presented. This research is one of the first attempts to examine the application of a blockchain in CCM systematically; it also provides construction contract managers or administrators with practical guidelines on leveraging blockchain technology to improve CCM practices.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | information sharing, strategy, content analysis, construction contract, falls, systematic literature review, blockchain, collaboration, manager, information delivery, management practice, implementation |
| Subjects: | contract type, contractual arrangements, computing systems, research evaluation and metrics, data exchange, health risk and incident analysis, data analysis and analytics, practitioner, management, information systems |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Procurement, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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