Guenther, P (2020) A case study of perceptions of asset tracking and inventory management technology in a small construction company. PhD thesis, Wilmington University (Delaware), USA.
Abstract
With the growth of commercial and residential construction projects, staff of construction companies work on multiple sites simultaneously, and equipment is located on multiple sites. As a result, asset management has become a larger issue of importance to the construction industry, mostly because of its influence on job efficiency and loss prevention. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore perceptions of a real-time asset tracking (RTAT) system and inventory management solution, and how the solution might help construction companies with overall financial efficiencies, loss prevention strategies, and time management planning through implementing effective asset tracking and inventory management. RTAT poses a number of benefits in the construction industry. Participants reported the benefits as improving resource management, and preventing loss, theft, and misuse of assets. Apart from tracking and tracing assets, employees can use RTAT technology to self-monitor and remain accountable for the materials and equipment that staff use. Employees become discouraged to commit theft and fraud when they know they will be held accountable for those items. RTAT technology does not only keep employees in check but also constrains other people onsite who may borrow tracked items. RTAT technology is generally perceived as accurate, mobile, efficient and cost effective; however, implementing RTAT technology may be challenging when employees and management do not have the proper mindset to adopt technology. Organizational change processes can be introduced to increase the success of implementation.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Sparco, J L |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | efficiency; organizational change; residential; construction project; equipment; inventory; asset management; fraud; time management; employee; case study |
| Index terms: | case study, onsite, efficiency, time management, inventory, residential construction, resource management, construction industry, prevention, implementation, theft, organizational change, fraud, construction company, asset management, mindset, strategy, construction project |
| Subjects: | control systems, business, data collection methods, industry analysis, project controls, construction integration, performance management, management, contractual arrangements, criminal law, health behaviours and lifestyles, organization, professional ethics, building construction, asset management, financial risk, production management, inventory management |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Time Control, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Legal Issues, Procurement, Project 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