Adoption and Use of Interorganizational ICT in a Construction Project

The objective of this research is to explain why actors are not using interorganizational information and communication technology (ICT) in construction projects in the intended way, by determining the mechanisms that influence the way actors use this ICT over time during a construction project. This explorative research results in a theoretical model that contains four key categories that explains the way actors use ICT in construction projects: (1) personal motivation; (2) external motivation; (3) knowledge and skills; and (4) acting opportunities. The model is compared with three existing influential models about the adoption and use of ICT: the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, the theory of planned behavior, and the technology acceptance model. In these models missing elements are found. In addition, it is found that fundamental characteristics of construction projects, such as the fragmented and temporarily nature of construction projects, and the different working practices, resources, and objectives of the organizations involved cause most of the barriers to the intended use of interorganizational ICT.

[1]  Fred D. Davis,et al.  User Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models , 1989 .

[2]  I. Ajzen,et al.  Belief, Attitude, Intention, and Behavior: An Introduction to Theory and Research , 1977 .

[3]  David Thorpe,et al.  Online remote construction management trials in Queensland Department of Main Roads: a participant's perspective , 2003 .

[4]  Kieran Mathieson,et al.  Predicting User Intentions: Comparing the Technology Acceptance Model with the Theory of Planned Behavior , 1991, Inf. Syst. Res..

[5]  Scott Fernie,et al.  Making sense of supply chain management: a comparative study of aerospace and construction , 2005 .

[6]  Fred D. Davis.  Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology , 1989, MIS Q..

[7]  Wanda J. Orlikowski,et al.  CASE Tools as Organizational Change: Investigating Incremental and Radical Changes in Systems Development , 1993, MIS Q..

[8]  John Ingham,et al.  Why do people use information technology? A critical review of the technology acceptance model , 2003, Inf. Manag..

[9]  Rob Howard,et al.  Monitoring Communication in Partnering Projects , 2001, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[10]  K. Christensen,et al.  Project management with a project web , 2003, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[11]  I. Ajzen.  The theory of planned behavior , 1991 .

[12]  K. Eisenhardt.  Building theories from case study research , 1989, STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI.

[13]  Wynne W. Chin,et al.  Extending the technology acceptance model: the influence of perceived user resources , 2001, DATB.

[14]  Mark T. Dishaw,et al.  Extending the Technology Acceptance Model , 1997 .

[15]  Kristiina Sulankivi.  Benefits of centralized digital information management in multipartner projects , 2004, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[16]  Gordon B. Davis,et al.  User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View , 2003, MIS Q..

[17]  Kathy Charmaz,et al.  Grounded Theory in Ethnography , 2001 .

[18]  P. Prasad.  Systems of meaning: ethnography as a methodology for the study of information technologies , 1997 .

[19]  Stephen L. Kajewski,et al.  Internet-based Information and Communication Systems on Remote Construction Projects: A Case Study Analysis , 2002 .

[20]  Pollaphat Nitithamyong,et al.  Web-based construction project management systems: how to make them successful? , 2004 .

[21]  Chris Harty,et al.  Innovation in construction: a sociology of technology approach , 2005 .

[22]  Mustafa Alshawi,et al.  Web-enabled project management: an emerging paradigm in construction , 2003 .

[23]  Bo-Christer Björk,et al.  Experiences of EDM Usage in Construction Projects , 2006, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[24]  Rob Kling,et al.  Reconceptualizing Users as Social Actors in Information Systems Research , 2003, MIS Q..

[25]  Michael D. Myers,et al.  Scholarship and practice: the contribution of ethnographic research methods to bridging the gap , 1994, Business Process Re-Engineering.

[26]  M. Bresnen,et al.  Motivation, commitment and the use of incentives in partnerships and alliances , 2000 .

[27]  Peter A. Todd,et al.  Understanding Information Technology Usage: A Test of Competing Models , 1995, Inf. Syst. Res..

[28]  Anselm L. Strauss,et al.  Basics of qualitative research : techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory , 1998 .

[29]  William J. O'Brien.  IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES IN PROJECT WEB SITES: A PRACTIONER'S VIEWPOINT , 2000 .

[30]  Paul Atkinson,et al.  The ethnographic imagination: textual constructions of reality , 1991 .

[31]  Michael D. Myers,et al.  Investigating Information Systems with Ethnographic Research , 1999, Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[32]  Younghwa Lee,et al.  The Technology Acceptance Model: Past, Present, and Future , 2003, Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[33]  Tony Thorpe,et al.  Project-Specific Web Sites: Friend or Foe? , 2001 .

[34]  M. Alvesson.  Doing critical management research , 2000 .

[35]  Ashraf El-Hamalawi,et al.  Provisions for proficient construction project extranet protocols to facilitate collaborative extranet working , 2005 .

[36]  A. Strauss,et al.  Field Research: Strategies for a Natural Sociology. , 1974 .