Kiu, M S; Lai, K W; Chia, F C and Wong, P F (2024) Blockchain integration into electronic document management (EDM) system in construction common data environment. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 13(1), pp. 117-132. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: The digitization of electronic document management (EDM) in the construction industry has become more common in nature with the evolution of technology. However, there are still some limitations in EDM in the common data environment which can be improved with the integration of blockchain technology. The purpose of this paper is to identify the limitations of the current EDM system in the construction industry, to determine the potential of blockchain in improving the EDM system in the construction industry and challenges towards blockchain-based EDM. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine (9) respondents with background from the construction industry and blockchain expertise. Content analysis was used to analyze the primary data. Findings: Current EDM system in the construction industry possessed limitations such as system maturity, high cost, slow adoption of technology and security concerns. Blockchain is able to make improvements in the current EDM system in terms of data integrity, data tracking, data immutability, data security, data trustability, and data accountability. Several challenges such as costs, blockchain scalability and industry knowledge, industry culture and hardware need to overcome prior blockchain-based EDM systems can be widely applied in the construction industry. Originality/value: The research findings provide insight on future EDM in the construction industry and aids future research in this field.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | blockchain technology; building information modelling; common data environment; construction industry; construction management; electronic document management |
| Index terms: | common data environment, methodology, evolution, integration, interview, accountability, content analysis, hardware, blockchain, construction industry, building information modelling, integrity |
| Subjects: | environmental science, data analysis and analytics, computing systems, computer hardware, data collection methods, industry analysis, information systems, liability law, organizational analysis, health safety and environment, research methods |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Legal Issues, Digital Applications, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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