Underutilisation of information communication and technology in the building construction industry case study: Department of Public Works in the Amathole district in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Camngca, Vuyokazi Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Information technology , Construction industry -- Data processing Information technology Communication and technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50632 , vital:42280
- Description: This study investigated the causes and effects of the underutilisation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the building section of the Amathole Region. The construction industry’s daily processes demand both heavy usages of data and data communication between project participants to meet client requirements. This industry is characterised by inaccurate and untimely communications that often result in costly delays and extensions of the project timeframe. ICT is a potential solution to this problem. The objectives of the study are, therefore, to determine why the above, a technically skilled occupational government institution in the Eastern Cape, does not employ ICT efficiently and optimally during this time of the looming global fourth industrial revolution. The literature review detailed the causes of and impact level of ICT’s utilisation and its potential benefits. For data collection, the researcher held unstructured interviews with a Chief Quantity Surveyor, Chief Architect, Engineer, Building Inspectors, and a Quantity Surveyor who dealt directly with construction projects. The key findings revealed that a lack of understanding of existing and newly available ICT software and hardware technology existed amongst certain senior officials within the building technology. The previously alluded, combined with the fear of the inability to learn and apply such new technology, has led to a culture of resistance to change from these more senior officials to utilise applications such as AutoCAD. The above-mentioned resistance, has also triggered the prevention of access to and lack of ICT resources, training, and inadequate funding, thereby eventually resulting in the underutilisation of ICT within the whole building section. This change also adversely affects all officials, especially the junior officials who have graduated using the most recent ICT technology during their studies. The researcher deduced, from the above findings, that adequate change management and continuous development, combined with the allocation of proper resources, would be necessary for all staff members. It was also determined that investments had to be made in the ICT equipment through the provision of a sufficient budget in the building section at AR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Camngca, Vuyokazi Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Information technology , Construction industry -- Data processing Information technology Communication and technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50632 , vital:42280
- Description: This study investigated the causes and effects of the underutilisation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the building section of the Amathole Region. The construction industry’s daily processes demand both heavy usages of data and data communication between project participants to meet client requirements. This industry is characterised by inaccurate and untimely communications that often result in costly delays and extensions of the project timeframe. ICT is a potential solution to this problem. The objectives of the study are, therefore, to determine why the above, a technically skilled occupational government institution in the Eastern Cape, does not employ ICT efficiently and optimally during this time of the looming global fourth industrial revolution. The literature review detailed the causes of and impact level of ICT’s utilisation and its potential benefits. For data collection, the researcher held unstructured interviews with a Chief Quantity Surveyor, Chief Architect, Engineer, Building Inspectors, and a Quantity Surveyor who dealt directly with construction projects. The key findings revealed that a lack of understanding of existing and newly available ICT software and hardware technology existed amongst certain senior officials within the building technology. The previously alluded, combined with the fear of the inability to learn and apply such new technology, has led to a culture of resistance to change from these more senior officials to utilise applications such as AutoCAD. The above-mentioned resistance, has also triggered the prevention of access to and lack of ICT resources, training, and inadequate funding, thereby eventually resulting in the underutilisation of ICT within the whole building section. This change also adversely affects all officials, especially the junior officials who have graduated using the most recent ICT technology during their studies. The researcher deduced, from the above findings, that adequate change management and continuous development, combined with the allocation of proper resources, would be necessary for all staff members. It was also determined that investments had to be made in the ICT equipment through the provision of a sufficient budget in the building section at AR.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Exploiting the adaptability of recent information and communication technology to improve the site management process
- Ozumba, Aghaegbuna Obinna Uche
- Authors: Ozumba, Aghaegbuna Obinna Uche
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Information technology , Construction industry -- Materials management , Information technology -- Management.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019811
- Description: Construction is a big role player in every economy, and the Site Management Process (SMP) occupies a strategic position in the construction process. Despite existence of appreciable research, technology diffusion in the construction industry is slow. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) implementation processes and products have not adequately and beneficially exploited ICT for improvement of the SMP. This is especially true in developing countries. Without increase in utilisation of ICT, potential benefits for the SMP remain untapped. The aim of the thesis was to ascertain the levels of utilisation of recent ICT developments for the SMP, and thereby gauge the benefits or lack thereof. The theoretical concept of the research is based on the technology transfer sub-concept of adaptation. A fundamentally positivistic view, with principles of objectivist approach was used for the enquiry. The approach included an extensive literature review, and a multi-stage investigation strategy, set in South Africa. Theory reviewed was in the main disciplines of construction science and technology, computer science and technology, and management science. Investigations involved case studies of construction sites, a global ICT survey, a national practitioner survey, and analysis of ICT products. Findings from literature assert the appreciable potential utility in recent ICT, thereby substantiating the adaptability of recent ICT. In addition ICT adoption in the SMP is inadequate and inexpedient, falling short of potential benefits for construction, both generally and in the local context. Furthermore there are challenges to ICT adoption, which could vary according to context. Field research results also point to underutilisation of innovations located in recent ICT. The main challenges in this regard include inadequate knowledge of potential utility of recent ICT, and lack of relevant support and effective approaches to technology integration, in the SMP. Moreover exploitation of the adaptability of recent ICT in the local SMP does not go beyond basic adoption. As such most diffusion occurs only for items requiring an adaptation of usage context or area of application. The results strongly indicate minimal innovativeness in this regard. Frameworks for possible adaptations of existing technologies were also derived, while propositions are made for approaches to improve the utility of recent ICT in the SMP. Through a customised approach, the thesis establishes foundational understanding towards a generic framework for adapting potential utility in ICT to uses in construction, especially in the SMP. Thus the research contributes strategic information to the fledgling CICT body of knowledge, especially in the local context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ozumba, Aghaegbuna Obinna Uche
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Information technology , Construction industry -- Materials management , Information technology -- Management.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019811
- Description: Construction is a big role player in every economy, and the Site Management Process (SMP) occupies a strategic position in the construction process. Despite existence of appreciable research, technology diffusion in the construction industry is slow. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) implementation processes and products have not adequately and beneficially exploited ICT for improvement of the SMP. This is especially true in developing countries. Without increase in utilisation of ICT, potential benefits for the SMP remain untapped. The aim of the thesis was to ascertain the levels of utilisation of recent ICT developments for the SMP, and thereby gauge the benefits or lack thereof. The theoretical concept of the research is based on the technology transfer sub-concept of adaptation. A fundamentally positivistic view, with principles of objectivist approach was used for the enquiry. The approach included an extensive literature review, and a multi-stage investigation strategy, set in South Africa. Theory reviewed was in the main disciplines of construction science and technology, computer science and technology, and management science. Investigations involved case studies of construction sites, a global ICT survey, a national practitioner survey, and analysis of ICT products. Findings from literature assert the appreciable potential utility in recent ICT, thereby substantiating the adaptability of recent ICT. In addition ICT adoption in the SMP is inadequate and inexpedient, falling short of potential benefits for construction, both generally and in the local context. Furthermore there are challenges to ICT adoption, which could vary according to context. Field research results also point to underutilisation of innovations located in recent ICT. The main challenges in this regard include inadequate knowledge of potential utility of recent ICT, and lack of relevant support and effective approaches to technology integration, in the SMP. Moreover exploitation of the adaptability of recent ICT in the local SMP does not go beyond basic adoption. As such most diffusion occurs only for items requiring an adaptation of usage context or area of application. The results strongly indicate minimal innovativeness in this regard. Frameworks for possible adaptations of existing technologies were also derived, while propositions are made for approaches to improve the utility of recent ICT in the SMP. Through a customised approach, the thesis establishes foundational understanding towards a generic framework for adapting potential utility in ICT to uses in construction, especially in the SMP. Thus the research contributes strategic information to the fledgling CICT body of knowledge, especially in the local context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
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