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The use of interorganisational ICT in construction projects: a critical perspective

Arjen Adriaanse (Construction Management and Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands)
Hans Voordijk (Construction Management and Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands)
Geert Dewulf (Construction Management and Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands)

Construction Innovation

ISSN: 1471-4175

Article publication date: 20 April 2010

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how a critical perspective (i.e. critical social theory) can be applied to provide understanding and insights into mechanisms as to why interorganisational information communication technologies (ICT) in construction projects is not used in the intended way.

Design/methodology/approach

Habermas' critical social theory, in particular his models of action, is used for the critical analysis. From this perspective, the intended and actual use of document management and workflow management systems are studied in two construction projects.

Findings

In construction projects, interorganisational ICT is intended to support instrumental action, communicative action and sometimes also dramaturgical action. However, in practice, this ICT is not used in the intended way because actors adopt strategic action and normatively regulated action as well.

Research limitations/implications

The paper confirms the importance of analysing the social system and the technical system, and how these interact, to understand how and why actors use interorganisational ICT.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how a critical social theory provides insights into mechanisms as to why interorganisational ICT in construction projects is not used in the intended way.

Keywords

Citation

Adriaanse, A., Voordijk, H. and Dewulf, G. (2010), "The use of interorganisational ICT in construction projects: a critical perspective", Construction Innovation, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 223-237. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714171011037200

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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