Alruwaythi, O (2017) Influence of engineering information format, demographics, and spatial cognition on craft worker performance. PhD thesis, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.
Abstract
Purpose: The main goal of this dissertation was to improve the effectiveness of construction craft workers in using the engineering information format when completing complex construction tasks.Background: The construction productivity of craft workers can be negatively impacted by ineffective communication of the project’s design and information. Traditional information delivery relies on two-dimensional drawings for multiple views, which typically require workers to have high spatial cognitive abilities in order to effectively understand how to interpret and combine all views of the two-dimensional (2D) drawings. Advancements in three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD), augmented reality, virtual reality, and 3D printing have provided new format options for delivering engineering information in a way that is easier to understand.Intellectual Merit: The dissertation describes a set of field trials based on experimental designs and the use of eye tracking technology to explore the interrelation between spatial cognition, demographic traits, and engineering information formats in their impact on the performance of construction craft workers. The aim of the dissertation was to generate new knowledge in several respects by (1) introducing primary constructs regarding the information needs of construction craft workers; (2) quantifying the influence of various engineering information deliverables, demographics, and spatial cognition that captures the individual performance of craft workers; (3) reviewing the guidelines for providing tailored information systems to accommodate unique craft worker demographics and requirements of spatial cognition; and (4) revising proposals and additional recommendations to transform information systems implemented for craft workers. Broader Impact: This dissertation opens channels for extensive transformative findings on how to more naturally incorporate information interfaces with people. Recognition of cognitive aspects of spatial information processing based on different information formats and craft worker demographics provides a better understanding of how to improve information systems and the performance of individuals engaged in frontline tasks in other industries. This is done by understanding how information format can be tailored for broader ranges of populations with diverse spatial cognition and demographics.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Goodrum, P M |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | virtual reality; communication; computer-aided design; information processing; productivity; population; information system |
| Index terms: | cognitive ability, cognition, population, computer aided design, augmented reality, information system, field trial, proposal, 3D printing, drawing, virtual reality, effectiveness, construction productivity, demographics, dissertation, information processing, option, information delivery, experimental design, productivity |
| Subjects: | information systems, decision analysis, management, performance management, data science, technical documentation, data collection methods, research design and methodology, virtual reality, demography, cognitive psychology, project planning, visualization, operations management, research dissemination and communication, computational design, manufacturing |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Research Practice, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Risk Management, Project Management, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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