Voordijk, H (2023) Technical mediation and digital technologies in construction practice. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 19(2), pp. 110-124. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
Digital technologies and users of these technologies interact with each other in different ways. This study explores the influence of this interaction on users' behavior in construction practice: where and how do digital technologies in construction interact with their users, and what is their effect? The theory of technical mediation is applied to understand these influences. This theory deepens the analysis of human-technology interactions by adding that humans and technologies co-shape each other. Based on a literature review and studies of construction projects, technologies such as Building Information Modelling, Radio Frequency Identification, and Augmented/Virtual Reality are studied. Mediating effects of these technologies are analyzed from two perspectives: from which side does technology grasp the human body, what are the force and visibility of these impacts? It is shown that digital technologies in construction practice play different 'actant' roles by influencing or directing users in certain directions: digital technologies become natural extensions of the body (physical influence), function as 'quasi-others' (cognitive influence) or determine possible human–technology interactions through a 'decisive' design (contextual influence). Different preconditions for successful implementing and using these technologies can be related to these actant roles.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction practice; digital technologies; human-technology interaction; mediation effects |
| Index terms: | construction project, mediation, radio frequency identification, building information modelling, interaction, virtual reality, digital technology, literature review |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, digital technology, dispute resolution, virtual reality, computing systems, information systems, production management, behavioral psychology |
| Topics: | Project Management, Legal Issues, Research Practice, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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