Chien, H-J (2003) Developing a digital nervous system for enhancing effectiveness of construction management and increasing commercial benefit in the UK construction industry. PhD thesis, University of Glamorgan, UK.
Abstract
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilitates better communication within the construction industry and has the potential to change the industry beyond recognition. The aim of this research is to develop a theoretical Digital Nervous System (DNS) model for the UK construction industry to enable companies to improve their corporate business performance. To accomplish the aim of the research, the author conducted extensive secondary and primary data collection. Two primary research techniques were adopted to elicit data and information from respondents, these were; questionnaire surveys and structured interviews. A comprehensive review of secondary data was undertaken, this included a review of published literature, both in print and electronic format. A theoretical DNS model has been proposed by the author in this research. This DNS model is able to support and integrate the following functions: To manage inner-company operations more efficiently using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Intranet technology. To use Extranets to improve communication with business partners by sharing up-to-date information. To exploit the potential of the Internet to increase interaction with the public, interest groups and potential clients. To create commercial benefits available to the construction industry through the use of e-Commerce. The potential benefits of utilising a DNS model for a construction organisation are significant. The possible improvements that can be attributed to adopting the DNS model proposed by the author of this research include: • Reduction in an organisation's costs and construction time. • Improved profits. • Reduction in defects and waste. • Increase in productivity and client satisfaction.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Barthorpe, S |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | business performance; client satisfaction; e-commerce; information and communication technology; interview; productivity; questionnaire survey; UK; waste |
| Index terms: | productivity, e-commerce, secondary data, construction organization, enterprise resource planning, construction industry, interest group, internet, interaction, construction time, effectiveness, client satisfaction, survey, profit, interview, information and communication technology, questionnaire, business performance |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, client relations, organization, computing systems, digital commerce, economic analysis, management, performance measurement, performance management, project controls, sociology, computer science, industry analysis, behavioral psychology |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Digital Applications, Time Control |
| 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