Moore, D R and Abadi, M (2005) Virtual team working and associated technologies within the UK construction industry. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 1(1), pp. 21-32. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
Virtual teams (VTs) are a relatively new approach to team working and management inspired by large companies expanding globally and the multinational nature of some construction projects. They are supported by information communication technologies (ICT) not previously available to traditional 'distributed' construction industry teams. The VT approach has been used successfully elsewhere, for example in the high-technology and professional services industries. The UK construction industry is frequently criticized for being too slow to adopt new technologies and methods of working. However, the process of introducing them varies between different industry sectors. The research methodology reported is that of using a questionnaire survey (both online and postal). Feedback illustrates confusion within the industry regarding the VT concept. Also, relatively few members of the industry are fully utilizing this approach. The consultant sector of the industry is identified as potentially achieving a leading role in the process of introducing and then developing a wider use of the VT approach. Those companies currently operating VTs are better placed to introduce innovative production technologies to the procurement process than their competitors and are in a position to lead the next wave of innovation in construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction innovation; consultants; information communication technologies; sector use variability; virtual teams |
| Index terms: | professional service, construction project, research methodology, questionnaire, construction industry, variability, construction innovation, procurement process, industry sector, virtual team, new technology, survey |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, information systems, statistical analysis, building construction, production management, innovation and technology management, contractual arrangements, data collection methods, organization, research design and methodology |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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