Alaboud, N S M (2016) Development of a framework to enhance communication practice for site-based construction workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. PhD thesis, University of Salford, UK.
Abstract
Construction projects are information intensive. A typical project generates tens of thousands of documents in the form of drawings, change orders, requests for information, specifications, etc. To ensure effective construction communication and coordination, it is essential to manage this information flow efficiently. Recent improvements to IT technologies have enabled construction companies to overcome some of the communication and co-ordination challenges they face. For example, the increased acceptance and widespread use of mobile computing and wireless technologies creates an opportunity to improve productivity and lower costs, by improving information flows to allow greater collaboration and information sharing between on-site personnel. The Construction industry in Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid growth, with many huge infrastructure projects that are government financed. These projects are subject to delays and poor productivity and faces the challenge of remaining competitive or risk being overtaken by multinational companies who are reaping the benefits of up to date technologies. However, the construction industry in Saudi Arabia has peculiar characteristics, such as its multi-cultural workforce, high level of fragmentation, low level of employee education, extreme natural environment, and the transient nature of the construction workforce. These factors complicate the implementation of new technologies and other improvements to construction processes and practices. The literature is in broad agreement that digital communication technologies will have a positive impact on reducing costs and raising productivity; however, there is less understanding of why these technologies have not been more widely adopted. This study examined the general context and condition of mobile computing, and then explored the circumstances peculiar to Saudi construction projects. It then analysed the characteristic patterns, relationships, work processes and communication tools at Saudi construction sites, and discussed this information in reference to the literature to enable the researcher to develop and validate an implementation framework strategy for mobile computing by using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) methodology. This framework strategy would enable any Saudi construction company to implement a mobile computing solution that meets its needs.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | collaboration; communication; construction site; coordination; government; infrastructure project; personnel; productivity; Saudi Arabia |
| Index terms: | collaboration, information flow, methodology, infrastructure project, productivity, fragmentation, implementation, documents, construction company, Saudi Arabia, construction site, change order, new technology, construction project, strategy, information sharing, low level, specification, construction process, construction worker, personnel, mobile computing, construction industry, drawing, coordination, interpretive structural modelling, face, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
| Subjects: | digital technology, management, information systems, work location, innovation and technology management, production management, infrastructure and transport systems, data exchange, psychology, industry analysis, organization, practitioner, professional development, business, building construction, research methods, contractual condition, data analysis and analytics, measurement and scaling, contractual arrangements, Geography, technical documentation |
| Topics: | Contract Administration, Digital Applications, Human Resources, Site Management, Information Management, Design Practice, Roles and Professions, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Project Management, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Procurement, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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