Donyavi, S and Flanagan, R (2011) Tracking and positioning technology and its applications for supply chain materials for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on construction sites. In: Egbu, C and Lou, E C W (eds.) Proceedings of 27th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2011, Bristol, UK.
Abstract
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the core of construction industry. SMEs are recognised as the backbone of economy. Materials form major parts of the total cost of construction project which make control of this resource significant. Despite the importance of materials, not enough attention has been given by researchers to materials control and management. Effective and efficient material management has the capability to reduce cost and increase productivity on construction projects for SMEs. Tracking and positioning technology has the potential to increase productivity and the application of construction material management. Affordability, reliability and ease of use are the capabilities of GPS, GIS, RFID and Bluetooth which make them suitable for SMEs. These technologies are widely available yet rarely applied for SMEs in construction. The aim of this research is to find out the applications of the tracking technology for SMEs on supply chain materials on construction site and to investigate SMEs attitude and behaviour to the technology. The chosen research method is case study. Observation, interviews and document review have been undertaken. Tracking and positioning technology has the ability to help SMEs to monitor and track their materials movement. Tracking technology is capable for tracking and identification of materials, employees, documents, equipment and safety procedures. It is also capable to transfer data and voice between two different devices. A simulation study has been undertaken to understand how better information flow for supplying materials is possible trough tracking and positioning technology. Interviews have been undertaken with the SMEs owner/mangers to investigate their reflection to the acceptance and adoption of the technology.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | materials management; productivity; SME; supply chain; tracking technology |
| Index terms: | construction project, reflection, construction material, documents, construction industry, materials management, affordability, interview, movement, case study, owner, productivity, construction site, information flow |
| Subjects: | economic analysis, operations management, work location, building materials, health behaviours and lifestyles, data collection methods, industry analysis, information systems, sociology, production management, professional development, management |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Stakeholder Management, Digital Applications, Site 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