Abstract
There has been a massive focus on digital technologies and trends that come with digitalisation as the conventional way of doing work is fast becoming obsolete. The benefits of embracing digital transformation have been a difficult process for the construction industry to assess in order to improve their operations and work output. The South African construction industry is not left out of the challenges involved in assessing these benefits. For this reason, this study assesses the barriers to the use of digital technology by sub-contractors in the South African Construction industry. A quantitative design was used which adopted questionnaire as the data collection instrument. Data obtained was analysed descriptively. The findings revealed that restricted budget dispensation for training and aged work force are the most significant barriers to the adoption of digital technologies by sub-contractors. Upon this, the study recommended that the umbrella bodies of the various subcontractors’ trade, organize trainings on the use of digital technologies at a subsidized rate as this will enable both the old work force and those on a restricted budget to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
South Africa Department of Trade and Industry. Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice (2007)
Martin, L., Root, D.: Profiling emerging contractors for effective transformation in the South African constructor sector. Dev. South. Afr. 29(2), 209–223 (2012)
Hamelink, C.J.: New information and communication technologies, social development and cultural change, vol. 86. United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, Geneva (1997)
CIDB. Workshop of BIM Portal and Collaboration Platform for Affordable BIM, Holiday Inn Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur: CIDB Internal Reports. 9–11 January 2013 (2013)
Kapur, R.: Significance of Digital Technology (2018). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323829721_significant_of_digital_technology
Bhattacharya, S., Momaya, K.S.: Actionable strategy framework for digital transformation in AECO industry. Eng. Constr. Architectural Manag. 28(5), 1397–1422 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2020-0587
Sadeh, H., Mirarchi, C., Pavan, A.: Technological transformation of the construction sector: a conceptual approach. Int. J. Constr. Manag., 1–11 (2021)
Arrunada, B., Gonzalez-Diaz, M., Fernandez, A.: Determinants of organizational form: transaction cost and institutions in the European trucking industry. Ind. Corp. Chang. 13(6), 867–882 (2004)
Cooke, L., Williams, S.: Two approaches to using client projects in the college classroom. Bus. Commun. Q. 67(2), 139–152 (2004)
South Africa Construction Industry Status Report (Stats SA). Synthesis Review on the South African Construction Industry and its Development (2004). http://www.cidb.org.za/documents/kc/cidb/_publications/ind_reps_other/ind_reps_status_report_2004.pdf
Bowen, P., Cheung, M., Rohde, F.: Enhancing IT governance practices: a model and case study of an organization’s efforts. Int. J. Account. Inf. Syst. 8(3), 191–221 (2007)
Ahmadisheykhsarmast, S., Sonmez, R.: A smart contract system for security of payment of construction contracts. Autom. Constr. 120, 103401 (2020)
Nikmehr, B., Hosseini, M., Martek, I., Zavadskas, E., Antucheviciene, J.: Digitalization as a strategic means of achieving sustainable efficiencies in construction management: a critical review. Sustainability. 13(9), 5040 (2021)
Guo, C., Acar, M.: Understanding collaboration among non-profit organizations: combining resources dependency, institutional, and network perspectives. Nonprofit Volunt. Sect. Q. 34(3), 340–361 (2005)
Bernard, A.: Why digital tools are key for the future of formwork. Constr. Eng. Australia 5(3), 24–25 (2019)
Verhoef, P., et al.: Digital transformation: a multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. J. Bus. Res. 122, 889–901 (2021)
McNamara, A., Sepasgozar, S.: Intelligent contract adoption in the construction industry: concept development. Autom. Constr. 122, 103452 (2021)
Adeitan, D., Aigbavboa, C., Agbenyeku, E., Bamisaye, O.: Industry 4.0 and construction supply chain management. In: Proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference, pp. 368–375 (2019)
Dlungwana, D., Rwelamila, P.: The Role of Performance Assessment Tools in Improving Contractor Performance in Developing Countries, pp. 411–417. CSIR Boutek, Pretoria (2003)
Kauppila, O., Rajala, R., Jyrama, A.: Knowlede sharing through virtual teams across boarders and boundaries. Manag. Learn. 42(4), 395–418 (2011)
Xu, Y., Chong, H., Chi, M.: Modelling the blockchain adoption barriers in the AEC industry. Eng. Constr. Architect. Manag. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2021-0335
Levis, J., Schilling, P.: Lessons from three implementtions knocking down barriers to client/server. Inf Syst. Manag. 11(3), 15–22 (1994)
Edirisinghe, R.: Digital skin of the construction site: smart sensor technologies towards the future smart construction site. Eng. Constr. Archit. Manag. 26(2), 184–223 (2019)
Oke, A.E., Aghimien, D.O., Aigbavboa, C.O., Koloko, N.: Challenges of digital collaboration in the South African construction industry. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (2018)
South Africa Construction Industry Status Report (Stats SA). Synthesis Review on the South African Construction Industry and its Development (2017). http://www.cidb.org.za/documents/kc/cidb/_publications/ind_reps_other/ind_reps_status_report_2017.pdf
Abascal, J., Barbosa, S., Nicolle, C.: Rethinking universal accessibility: a broader approach considering the digital gap. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. 15(2), 179–182 (2016)
Dede, S., Koseoglu, M.: Learning from early adopters of blockchain technology: a systematic review of supply chain case studies. Technol. Innov. Manag. Rev. (2021)
Sahil, A.: Adoption of Building Information Modelling in Developing Countries: A Phenomenological Perspective. Colorado State University (2016)
Chen, I., Popovich, K.: Understanding customer relationship management (CRM): people, process and technology. Bus. Process Manag. J. (2003)
Ghaznavi, M., Keikha, A., Yaghoubi, N.: The impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on educational improvement. Int. Educ. Stud. 4(2), 116–125 (2011)
Newman, C., Edwards, D., Martek, I., Lai, J., Thwala, W., Rillie, I.: Industry 4.0 deployment in the construction industry: a bibliometric literature review and UK-based case study. Smart Sustain. Built Environ. (2020)
Tan, P.: Towards a culturally sensitive and deeper understanding of “rote learning” and memorization of adult learners. J. Stud. Int. Educ. 15(2), 124–145 (2011)
Field, A.P.: Discovering statistics using SPSS, 2nd edn. Sage, London
Pallant, J.: SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS for Windows (Version 12). Open University Press, Maidenhead (2005)
Love, P., Irani, Z.: An exploratory study of information technology evaluation and benefits management practices of SMEs in the construction industry. Inf. Manag. 42(1), 227–242 (2004)
Rayome, A.: Five eye-opening Statistics About Minorities in Tech, Tech Republic (2017). https://www.techrepublic.com/article/5-eye-openinf-statistics-about-minorities-in-tech
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Otasowie, K., Ikuabe, M., Aigbavboa, C., Oke, A. (2023). Factors Militating Against the Use of Digital Technology by Sub-contractors in South Africa. In: Arai, K. (eds) Proceedings of the Future Technologies Conference (FTC) 2022, Volume 2. FTC 2022 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 560. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18458-1_50
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18458-1_50
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-18457-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-18458-1
eBook Packages: Intelligent Technologies and RoboticsIntelligent Technologies and Robotics (R0)