Adriaanse, A; Voordijk, H and Dewulf, G (2010) The use of interorganisational ICT in construction projects: A critical perspective. Construction Innovation, 10(2), pp. 223-237. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how a critical perspective (i.e. critical social theory) can be applied to provide understanding and insights into mechanisms as to why interorganisational information communication technologies (ICT) in construction projects is not used in the intended way. Design/methodology/approach – Habermas' critical social theory, in particular his models of action, is used for the critical analysis. From this perspective, the intended and actual use of document management and workflow management systems are studied in two construction projects. Findings – In construction projects, interorganisational ICT is intended to support instrumental action, communicative action and sometimes also dramaturgical action. However, in practice, this ICT is not used in the intended way because actors adopt strategic action and normatively regulated action as well. Research limitations/implications – The paper confirms the importance of analysing the social system and the technical system, and how these interact, to understand how and why actors use interorganisational ICT. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates how a critical social theory provides insights into mechanisms as to why interorganisational ICT in construction projects is not used in the intended way.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication technologies; construction industry; construction operations; project management; the Netherlands |
| Index terms: | communicative action, project management, construction industry, interorganizational, construction operation, critical social theory, social system, methodology, construction project, workflow, management system, Netherlands |
| Subjects: | sociology, industry analysis, research methods, management, project management theory and practice, social theory, production management, Geography, social theory and frameworks, construction operations, business |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Site Management, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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