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The Role of Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T) in the Ghanaian Construction Industry
Abstract
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has had a great impact on the construction industry and the way it works. ICT is viewed as crucial for effective and successful project delivery. ICT usage in most construction firms have often been described as relatively limited and ineffective compared to other sectors. With the need for adequate information concerning the Ghanaian construction industry's ICT platforms, this research focuses on assessing current levels of ICT use by Building Contractors in Ghana and identifies the reasons hindering its usage. A survey based on structured questionnaire was used to elicit the relevant data from contractors. The data was analyzed using Frequency Analysis, and Mean Scores to rank factors. The findings suggest that, there is a reasonable level of awareness among the contractors about the potential benefits of ICT and the willingness to invest in is high. But high initial cost hinders the rate of adoption. 2
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Emerging information and communication technology (ICT) introduces opportunities for improving communication to enhance effectiveness of many construction processes at each project phase as well as creating new business opportunities. Thus, perceived ICT benefits have motivated numerous construction organisations to adopt and invest in this technology. However, many construction organisations have found that the ICT investment has failed to meet their expectations. One significant problem is a lack of understanding of how to actually implement ICT into a construction organisation. This may lead to ICT implementation failure or retardation by all users within a construction organisation. In addition, a lack of focus on actual ICT implementation may explain why ICT implementation problems still occur. Before substantial progress can be made to remedy deficiencies in ICT implementation, a better understanding is needed about the context and influence of a range of workplace, organisational and personal factors on ICT implementation. The general focus of this paper is directed upon ICT implementation in construction organisations, with a specific focus using results from a study of a small but indicative sample of Australian ICT literate construction organisations. An improved understanding of ICT implementation can be achieved through a general survey of the literature and then testing theory developed from the literature using a representative pool of general construction organisation. Alternatively, a narrow focus could be directed at organisations that are already well experienced in the use of ICT. The authors concentrated upon Australian construction organisations with over a decade of experience in ICT implementation so that salient lessons learned could be more readily available for dissemination more widely. This paper attempts to fill ICT implementation gaps by focusing on ICT diffusion at the actual implementation stage. Its primary objective is to understand the nature of ICT diffusion within a construction organisation. It focuses on a review of the theory relating to ICT implementation. A list of 46 essential variables was developed from integration of three main theories: innovation diffusion, change management, and knowledge management. The paper also provides a brief summary of the variables tested through using factor analysis. Results indicate that these 46 variables formed 11 factors that can be grouped into management, individual characteristics, technology and workplace environment clusters. The contribution that this paper makes is to rigorously identify and discuss the nature and extent of intraorganisational factors influencing ICT diffusion within large ICT-experienced construction organisations. This will be useful for those interested in this area and provides a current literature review.
Information technology is widely used throughout the international construction industry. Web sites are used for information and publicity purposes and their use in project management as centres of information has been developed over recent years. In this paper the current use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the international construction industry is examined. The development of the construction project chain is examined, its role players identified and the activities carried out throughout the chain described. An overview is given of software available to the international construction industry for these types of activities and its use within the South African industry discussed. The integration of the project chain on a project-by-project basis by the promoter is recommended and the potential benefits are described by referring to economies gained in design-construct and build-operate-transfer contracts. Finally it is argued that ICT can readily be used by the sub-Saharan African construction industry given the low capital investment levels required and the benefits to be gained, the only requirement being the need for investment in ICT education throughout the continent.
The right choice of the method of organizational analysis to use is a key factor in the process of requirements analysis and specification of an information system. Although a high number of approaches of organizational analysis exist, the choice of the most appropriate option for each concrete case will influence the quality of the results obtained in the analysis of requirements and consequent specification. This paper presents a new way for organizational analysis to improve the quality of the requirements of systems that support information management and where collaboration is an important aspect. This is achieved through the application of the social network analysis approach, applied to refine, classify and prioritize the requirements for collaboration and information management in an organization. The paper begins by analysing shortly content management systems and wiki systems as IT platforms for collaboration and information management. After having described the method, a practical case of application of SNetCol method to an R&D institution is presented. The paper finishes by presenting the results of the evaluation of the two particular technological options considered for satisfying the specified requirements are described.
The use of ICT in construction has been sporadic and piecemeal. Very significant inefficiencies and problems still exist in both paper transactions and non-integrated electronic solutions. Despite over two decades of significant advancements in ICT, the adoption of ICT Irish construction industry has been largely piecemeal. This paper will seek to highlight the key drivers, opportunities for the electronic support of the construction process together with currently available ICT applications to support the construction process. The paper will finally progress to reflect on the role of the Construction IT Alliance (CITA) in addressing the potential of ICT in the Irish construction sector.
From the Publisher:For people interested in using computers in construction, this book is the perfect starting point - providing an unsurpassed introduction to computer hardware, software, and communications technology. Giving the reader a basic idea of what the pieces do and how they work together, the book's 16 in-depth chapters offer coverage of topics so important for construction engineers and managers. Through the material, readers are given the ability to analyze systematically a potential area of need - such as a function in a department - to determine whether a computer application might help to assess the costs and benefits of alternative proposals and to proceed from that analysis to a clear specification for what the proposed solution should accomplish. There is also coverage of how computer professionals evaluate hardware and design the software and systems that will implement a given application. Furthermore, readers will learn how to manage the people, resources, time, and money required in the development process for creating a given application program or for adapting a package application to the needs specified in the design. Other topics found in the book include: common tools used to develop application software for today's business computers; systems and applications available in the marketplace to perform specific functions, such as estimating, scheduling, cost control, and simulation; emergent technologies and how an individual, group, or company might plan ahead and take advantage of the trends. In addition, the book provides twenty-two construction engineering and management application examples - most developed using modern computer software - and provides additional problems, guidelines, and data for the reader to use in implementing his or her own applications on a personal computer.
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