Pauli, L C (2023) Utilising the principles of blockchain technology for managing road infrastructure projects. PhD thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
Abstract
In spite of the amount of new tools and methodologies adopted in the road infrastructure sector, the performance of road infrastructure projects is not constantly improving. Considering that the volume of projects undertaken is forecasted to increase every year, this is a substantial issue for the road infrastructure sector. Hence this work focuses on the principles of Blockchain Technology, road infrastructure sector and the information exchange with the aim to use the advantages of the Blockchain Technology in supporting to overcome the various challenges along the life cycle of road infrastructure projects. Within the scope of this paper, two studies were conducted. First, focus groups were used to explore where society (road infrastructure sector) stands in terms of industry 4.0 and to get a better understanding if and where the principles of Blockchain Technology can be used when managing projects in the road infrastructure sector. Second, semi-structured interviews were administrated with experts of the road infrastructure sector and experts of Blockchain Technology to better understand the interrelation between these two areas. Based on the outcome of the two studies, technology barriers and enablers were explored for the purpose of improved information exchange within the road infrastructure sector. The two studies revealed that there are significant and strong interrelations between the principles of the Blockchain Technology, project management within the road infrastructure sector and information exchange. These interrelations are complex and diverse, but overall it can be concluded that the adoption of the principles of Blockchain Technology into the field of information exchange improves the management of road infrastructure projects. Based on the two studies a theoretical framework was developed. In summary this research showed that trust is an important factor and builds the foundation for communication and to ensure a proper information exchange. Within the scope of this thesis, it was demonstrated that the principles of the Blockchain Technology can be used to increase transparency, traceability and immutability during the life cycle of road infrastructure projects in the area of information exchange.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | blockchain; trust; communication; life cycle; infrastructure project; focus group; interview |
| Index terms: | infrastructure project, project management, blockchain, transparency, life cycle, industry 4.0, infrastructure sector, methodology, information exchange, interview, society, traceability, focus group |
| Subjects: | communities and social development, research methods, supplier oversight, data science, technology adoption, computing systems, value management, data collection methods, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, professional development, project management theory and practice |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Stakeholder Management, Digital Applications |
| 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