LJ Koskela
Process and IT (Editorial)
Koskela, LJ; Dave, B
Authors
B Dave
Abstract
Purpose – This paper’s aim is to provide a fresh perspective on how to address process improvement and information technology (IT) in an integrated fashion in order to improve the efficiency of the construction process.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper looks at the problems associated with the “conventional” way of addressing IT within construction, and suggests improvements based on integrating three core organisational resources: people, process and technology.
Findings – The existing view that IT on its own brings organisational benefits leads to only marginal improvements in organisational efficiency if not resulting in negative impact. However, by correctly integrating people, process and IT initiatives, significant benefits can be achieved.
Originality/value – This paper provides value by providing a conceptualisation for addressing people, process and technology within the construction sector.
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Date | Jan 1, 2008 |
Deposit Date | Jun 10, 2010 |
Publicly Available Date | Apr 5, 2016 |
Journal | Construction Innovation |
Print ISSN | 1471-4175 |
Electronic ISSN | 1477-0857 |
Publisher | Emerald |
Peer Reviewed | Not Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 8 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 244-249 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14714170810912635 |
Keywords | Information systems, Business improvement, Process efficiency |
Publisher URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14714170810912635 |
Additional Information | References : Beamish, A. (2008), Learning from Work, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. Bjo¨rk, B. (1999), “Information technology in construction: domain definition and research issues”, International Journal of Computer-Integrated Design and Construction, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 3-16. Deming (1982), Out of the Crisis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. Dorgan, S.J. and Dowdy, J.J. (2004), “When IT lifts productivity, research in brief”, McKinsey Quarterly, No. 4, pp. 9-11. Fenves, S.J. (1996), “The penetration of information technologies into civil and structural engineering design: state-of-the-art and directions toward the future”, in Kumar, B. and Retik, A. (Eds), Information Representation and Delivery in Civil and Structural Engineering Design, Civil Comp Press, Edinburgh, pp. 1-5. Fischer, M. and Kunz, J. (2004), “The role of information technology in construction”, CIFE Technical Report No. 156. Folkestad, J.E. (2006), “Concurrent design for production (CDP): materialising interface knowledge on a US residential construction project using computer aided design objects”, Proceedings IGLC-14, Santiago, July. Fox, S. (2008), “Evaluating potential investments in new technologies: balancing assessments of potential benefits with assessments of potential disbenefits, reliability and utilization”, Crit. Perspect. Account (in press). Hannus, M. (1996), “Islands of automation in construction”, in Turk,Z ˇ . (Ed.), Construction on the Information Highway, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, p. 20 (number 198 in CIB publication). Hayes, R.H. and Jaikumar, R. (1988), “Manufacturing’s crisis: new technology, obsolete organizations”, Harvard Business Review, September/October, pp. 77-85. Khanzode, A., Fischer, M., Reed, D. and Ballard, G. (2006), A Guide to Applying the Principles of Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) to the Lean Project Delivery Process, CIFE Technical Report No. 093, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. Knights, D. and Willmott, H. (2007), Introducing Organizational Behaviour and Management, Thomson, Boston, MA. Koskela, L. (2000), An Exploration Towards a Production Theory and its Application to Construction, VTT Publications 408, Espoo. Koskela, L. and Kazi, A.S. (2003), “Information technology in construction: how to realise the benefits?” in Clarke, S., Coakes, E., Huner, M.G. and Wenn, A. (Eds), Socio Technical and Human Cognition Elements of Information Systems, Information Science Publishing, Hershey, PA, pp. 60-75. Leicht, R., Fox, S., Ma¨kela¨inen, T. and Messner, J. (2007), “Building information models, display media, and team performance – an exploratory study”, VTT Working Papers 88, VTT, Espoo. Liker, J.K. (2004), The Toyota Way, McGraw-Hill, London. Melnyk, S.A. and Narasimhan, R. (1992), Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Vol. 378, Business One Irwin, Homewood, IL. Rischmoller, L., Alarco´n, L.F. and Koskela, L. (2006), “Improving value generation in the design process of industrial projects using CAVT”, Journal of Management in Engineering, Vol. 22 No. 2. Shelbourn, M., Bouchlaghem, M., Anumba, C. and Carrillo, P. (2007), “Planning and implementation of effective collaboration in construction projects”, Construction Innovation: Information, Process, Management, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 357-77. Sriram, R.D. (1998), “Information technology for engineering design”, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 123-5. Thorp, J. (1998), The Information Paradox – Realising the Business Benefits of Information Technology, McGraw-Hill, Toronto. Vrijhoef, R., Koskela, L. and Howell, G. (2001), “Understanding construction supply chains: an alternative interpretation”, Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference International Group for Lean Construction, Singapore. |
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