The role of industry: an analytical framework to understand ICT transformation within the AEC industry

Abstract

Despite wide-ranging research on information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, little is known about the role that industry plays in the adoption and use of ICT. Based on observations of how the drivers for ICT use seem to be inconsistent with the industry's central characteristics, and drawing on Information Systems (IS) research that demonstrates the role of shared systems of meaning, the purpose here is to develop an analytical framework that explains how industry shapes the adoption and use of ICT. Building on a theoretically driven approach and a case study, a framework is first sketched and then substantiated through empirical illustrations. Three dimensions of industry are highlighted: the socio-cognitive environment, the market-and production environment, and institutional actors. It is explained how the interplay of these dimensions shapes the way the industry functions, which in turn influence the adoption and use of ICT. The outcomes of the interplay can either be aligned or misaligned with ICT, which explains why certain aligned applications are rapidly adopted, whereas other applications are not. The primary implication is that the framework can aid in analysing the need for structural adaptation when trying to achieve ICT-induced change.

Conceptual Framework and Roadmap Approach for Integrating BIM into Lifecycle Project Management

“…Therefore, an integrated approach is required to optimize the value of ICT in building project management (Ahuja et al 2009;Froese 2010). Furthermore, with regard to ICT adoption in AECO projects, a few studies, such as Peansupap and Walker (2006) and Jacobsson et al (2017) introduce 6 frameworks to analyze and facilitate cooperation. BIM, as a widely used ICT in AECO, prevails in this research domain.…”

Identification of relevant project documents to 4D BIM uses for a synchronous collaborative decision support

“…Intelligent models and information management are the system technical core, it is enclosed by social elements: synchronous collaboration, coordinated work practices, institutional and cultural frameworks. The institution has its own intersocial order, which is nevertheless created by the interactions and influences among the institutional professionals [17]. The collaboration improvement is the second most cited benefit after the reduced errors and omissions [18].…”

Barriers for Digital Transformation: The Role of Industry

“…By drawing on Chiasson and Davidson (2005), Porac et al (1989), and Orlikowski and Gash (1994), Jacobsson et al (2017) developed a framework for analysing the building and construction industry, in order to give a plausible answer to the question of why the industry looks and functions as it does, and how characteristics of industry shape the adoption and use of ICT. In the overall framework, the interplay between the market and production environment, and institutional actors, shape the sociocognitive environment.…”

“…In this way ICT applications are given a meaning and made sense of in the socio-cognitive environment that in turns shape the adoption and use in certain directions (figure 1). (Jacobsson et al 2017) The creation of the socio-cognitive environment, this is, the creation of interpretive frames that in turn shape the adoption and use of ICT, is furtherillustrated in figure 2. By starting the analysis in the market and production environment with demand-side factors, clients demand for unique designs and an immobile product imply that organising by projects becomes the most appropriate technology.…”

“…However, no further analysis was done of how the interactions among the "factors" shapes industry characteristics , which could give a deeper understanding of why IT-related activities are conducted in certain modes. Jacobsson et al (2017), developed the Chiasson and Davidson (2005) framework further in order to explain how interactions between industry features shape IT-related actions in the building and construction industry. The overall conclusion in that study is that interaction patterns among elements in the market and production environment, as well as institutional actors shape the socio-cognitive environment, where meaning is made of ICT, which in turn shapes the adoption and deployment of ICT (Jacobsson et al 2017).…”