Brewer, G and Gajendran, T (2012) Attitudes, behaviours and the transmission of cultural traits: Impacts on ICT/BIM use in a project team. Construction Innovation, 12(2), pp. 198-215. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of an appropriate investigative mechanism deployed to uncover the link between individual attitude, consequent decision making and development of group culture, and their impact on the use of information and communication technology/building information modelling (ICT/BIM) across a temporary project organisation (TPO). Design/methodology/approach: The paper develops a protocol and conducts a case study of a specialist subcontractor associated with the design and construction of an engineered facade operating in a specific TPO. It adopts a phenomenological perspective, utilising ethnographic data collection techniques and constructivist analysis/abstraction. Findings: Differentiation resulted in impaired e-business activity; however, there was a positive impact on the overall project outcome. This was attributed to the positive cultural traits demonstrated by the specialist subcontractor. Individuals' attitudinal traits develop over time through personal experiences and interaction with others. These traits are transportable and potentially infectious, as in this case, where the result was beneficial to the stakeholders. Originality/value: The paper describes the successful implementation of an appropriate investigative protocol to chart the links between the beliefs and actions of individuals in relation to ICT/BIM, and the consequences for TPO culture and the project as a whole.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | attitudes; behaviours; building information modelling; communications technology; construction industry; information technology; memes; project management; project team culture; project teams |
| Index terms: | communications technology, project outcome, building information modelling, case study, construction industry, interaction, implementation, project team, project management, design and construction, project organization, information and communication technology, differentiation, e-business, information technology, subcontractor, decision-making, methodology |
| Subjects: | computing systems, practitioner, organization, project completion, data collection methods, project delivery, contractual arrangements, innovation and technology management, digital commerce, project management theory and practice, organizational theory, research methods, information systems, behavioral psychology, industry analysis, decision analysis |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Procurement, Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Organizational Design |
| 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