Cultural dynamics of information communication technology (ICT) adoption in construction

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has been identified as key to enhancing information processing in construction. Although the potential benefits of ICT use have been clearly demonstrated, the realization of these benefits is limited. In this research, the ICT adoption process is considered as an interaction between technology, culture, task and person from a sociotechnical system perspective. How the fit between social (culture and person dimensions) and technical (technology and task dimensions) aspects in the sociotechnical system influence ICT adoption in construction remains unclear. In responding to this research question, three objectives are put forward: (1) examine the role of the individual (person) in ICT adoption from a social-technical perspective in terms of the fit between culture, task and technology; (2) investigate the interplay of person-culture fit, person-task fit and task-technology on individuals’ behaviours in ICT adoption; and (3) explore whether the fit between organizational culture and technology affects organizational ICT adoption. These objectives have been achieved by different research methods. For the first two objectives on individual level ICT adoption, questionnaires were distributed to professionals in construction organizations in both Hong Kong and China that have adopted ICT. Based on the returned data sets, SEM analysis was conducted to test the relationships between person-culture fit, person-task fit, task-technology fit and an individual’s intention and actual usage of ICT. For organizational ICT adoption, semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals whose organizations have adopted Building Information Modeling. The interview transcripts were coded to the explore the relationship between technology-culture fit and organizational ICT adoption. The findings of this research suggest that the fits within the sociotechnical system will influence ICT adoption: (1) the fit between the values laden in ICT and organizational cultural values will influence ICT implementation; (2) whether individuals comply with the cultural values or not will not directly influence their intention to adopt ICT; (3) individuals are more willing to adopt ICT if their ability meets the demands of the task requirements; and (4) individuals are more willing to adopt ICT if the functionality of ICT could fulfill the task requirements. The findings also suggest that fits in the sociotechnical system are inter-related: (5) individuals whose values are congruent with organizational culture are also more likely to fit with the task requirement, and (6) individuals who have the right skills and abilities required by the task also experience a higher level of task-technology fit. This study contributes knowledge by lending empirical support to the sociotechnical system’s effect on ICT. This is useful in aiding the further synthesis of sociotechnical theory and ICT adoption. This study recommends suggestions for both ICT development and implementation. The development team must understand the task requirements, the potential user’s competence and the culture of the potential user’s organization. An organization that adopts ICT should provide opportunities for employees to participate in the development of ICT; provide relevant training to improve employees’ competencies in using ICT; and redesign the working process or the ICT to make them compatible with each other.