Ruikar, K; Anumba, C J and Carrillo, P M (2005) End-user perspectives on use of project extranets in construction organisations. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 12(3), pp. 222-235. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – Webbased technologies such as project extranets have introduced a new concept for communication and collaboration during construction projects. Project extranets have been used in the industry for some time now to manage information and document flows throughout the lifecycle of construction projects. Very few enduser companies already using project extranets have documented and disseminated information about the implications of using this technology in terms of the impact on their businesses, benefits incurred and possible drawbacks. This paper aims to present findings from the UK. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is case studies conducted with endusers of a leading project extranet application in the UK. Findings – Findings suggest that some of the perceived drawbacks of using project extranets are in fact not viewed as drawbacks by enduser companies. Also, the benefits incurred appear to outweigh some of the issues. The enduser organisations believe that an increasing number of organisations will be encouraged to use project extranets when they see “visionaries” and “market leaders” such as themselves, benefiting from the technology and leading the way to its wider adoption. Originality/value – Wider dissemination of this knowledge will encourage more construction companies to adopt the technology which has a proven record of success on projects for which it has been used. The paper highlights the drivers for the adoption of this technology and its impact on enduser business processes. It also documents the enduser viewpoint on the benefits and drawbacks of using project extranets.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | electronic commerce; internet; project management |
| Index terms: | documents, methodology, dissemination, construction project, collaboration, electronic commerce, construction company, user perspective, project management, internet, lifecycle, case study, construction organization |
| Subjects: | project delivery, digital commerce, computing systems, user focus, organization, data collection methods, professional development, knowledge translation, project management theory and practice, production management, research methods, management |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Information Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Design Practice, 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