Gibson, G E (1990) Data integration and transfer methodologies in industrial construction. PhD thesis, Auburn University, USA.
Abstract
The construction industry is currently implementing data integration strategies using separate but related concepts. The integrated database (IDB) concept helps engineering and construction firms to reduce internal data transfer barriers and become more productive. Data transfer technology allows firms to transfer data externally between trading partners and significantly reduce materials management costs. Each of these concepts enhances the overall flow of project management information. In order to examine the current state of these technologies within the construction industry, an extensive literature review concerning these strategies, as well as case studies involving Construction Industry Institute (CII) member firms, were undertaken. Integrated database (IDB) systems in design, construction, and facility management in the building industry allow projects to be designed, constructed, and managed as a facility without re-keying any data, thereby conserving data resources. CII member firms and others are implementing this technology in different forms. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), a relatively new data transfer technology, is the direct computer-to-computer exchange of standard format business documents. Experience in other industries indicates that EDI has a strong potential for reducing purchasing and accounting related costs, increasing purchasing professionalism, eliminating paperwork, increasing purchasing lead time, reducing inventory, reducing data transmission errors and improving materials management planning,. Case studies involving EDI implementations by CII member firms confirm these productivity gains and indicate that EDI has potential for tangible cost savings within the construction industry. The implementation of IDB and EDI within a specific owner, designer, or contractor firm depends on many factors. Guidelines for implementing these technologies are presented, as are actions that must be taken by the U.S. construction industry as a whole.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Bell, L C |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building industry; construction firms; inventory; data interchange; electronic data interchange; integration; materials management; professionalism; purchasing; designer; owner; productivity; case study |
| Index terms: | literature review, strategy, construction firm, methodology, integration, documents, professionalism, accounting, materials management, inventory, data interchange, contractor firm, electronic data interchange, case study, productivity, purchasing, owner, Construction Industry Institute, designer, database, building industry, lead time, cost saving, construction industry, implementation, industrial construction, project management |
| Subjects: | research organizations, profession, data collection methods, organization, contractual arrangements, data analysis and analytics, economic analysis, operations management, inventory management, project management theory and practice, professional development, management, economics, research methods, procurement strategy, industry analysis, information systems, project controls, data management, organizational analysis, sociology, building construction |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Supply Chain Management, Site Management, Organizational Design, Time Control, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Procurement |
| 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