Singapore's construction: moving toward a knowledge-based industry

Advanced economies of the world have progressed beyond the industrial stage toward a knowledge-based economy. Singapore has formulated a set of integrated blueprints to guide its socio-economic development into the knowledge age. The nature of the knowledge-based economy and its implications for construction, along with Singapore's strategies for developing its construction industry, are examined, focusing on the development of the workforce, training and professionalism, as highlighted in the Construction 21 Report. It is suggested that construction firms should emphasize learning among their employees and formulate corporate strategies for human resource development and information technology implementation. A more effective partnership between government and industry is needed to implement the transition to a competitive, knowledge-based construction industry. Dans le monde, les économies les plus avancées ont désormais dépassé le stade industriel pour se lancer dans une économie basée sur la connaissance. Singapour a élaboré un ensemble de modèles intégrés destinés à guider son développement socio-économique dans l'âge de la connaissance. La nature de l'économie basée sur la connaissance et ses implications dans la construction, ainsi que les stratégies adoptées par Singapour pour développer son industrie de la construction, sont examinées dans cet article, l'accent étant mis sur le développement de la main-d'oeuvre, sa formation et son professionnalisme, autant de points qui sont mis en lumière dans le rapport Construction 21. Les auteurs suggèrent que les entreprises du secteur de la construction devraient insister auprès de leur personnel sur l'apprentissage et élaborer des stratégies d'entreprise axées sur le développement des ressources humaines et la mise en oeuvre des technologies de l'information. Il est nécessaire d'établir un partenariat plus efficace entre le gouvernement et l'industrie afin de favoriser le passage à une industrie de la construction, compétitive et basée sur la connaissance.

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