Alkalbani, S; Rezgui, Y; Vorakulpipat, C and Wilson, I E (2013) ICT adoption and diffusion in the construction industry of a developing economy: The case of the Sultanate of Oman. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 9(1), pp. 62-75. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
The government of the Sultanate of Oman has launched a long-term development strategy, the Oman Vision 2020 plan, which focuses on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the fundamental establishment of a knowledge economy. However, the Omani construction sector, in particular, is lagging behind this vision. There are a number of limitations and barriers to the effective development of the industry, and a considerable gap exists between the modus operandi of the construction sectors in developed economies and that in Oman. This study aims to develop an in-depth and evidenced understanding of the structure, current practices, limitations and barriers, as well as specific characteristics of construction in Oman. The results reveal a number of socio-cultural and regulatory barriers reflected in a lack of (i) ICT strategic thinking in the surveyed organizations hindered by short-term cost and profit concerns and (ii) awareness, training and education programmes.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; construction; ict adoption; ict diffusion; Oman |
| Index terms: | Oman, communications technology, strategy, profit, developing economy, programme, construction industry, construction sector |
| Subjects: | management, economic development, Geography, project controls, industry analysis, economic analysis, innovation and technology management |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, International Construction, Time Control, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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