Whyte, J; Bouchlaghem, D and Thorpe, T (2002) IT implementation in the construction organization. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 9(5-6), p. 371. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Organizational issues are inhibiting the implementation and strategic use of information technologies (IT) in the construction sector. This paper focuses on these issues and explores processes by which emerging technologies can be introduced into construction organizations. The paper is based on a case study, conducted in a major house building company that was implementing a virtual reality (VR) system for internal design review in the regional offices. Interviews were conducted with different members of the organization to explore the introduction process and the use of the system. The case study findings provide insight into the process of change, the constraints that inhibit IT implementation and the relationship between new technology and work patterns within construction organizations. They suggest that (1) user-developer communications are critical for the successful implementation of non-diffused innovations in the construction industry; and (2) successful uptake of IT requires both strategic decision-making by top management and decision-making by technical managers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | emerging technologies; implementation; information technology; innovation; organization; virtual reality |
| Index terms: | manager, interview, top management, decision-making, construction sector, information technology, construction organization, case study, new technology, emerging technology, virtual reality, construction industry, implementation, organizational issue |
| Subjects: | innovation and technology management, contractual arrangements, data collection methods, business, organization, virtual reality, practitioner, computing systems, decision analysis, industry analysis, management |
| Topics: | Procurement, Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Organizational Design, Digital Applications |
| 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