ITcon Vol. 18, pg. 306-320, http://www.itcon.org/2013/15

Strategic e-business framework: a holistic approach for organisations in the construction industry

submitted:April 2013
published:September 2013
editor(s):Rezgui Y
authors:Yongjie Chen, PhD
School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, UK
starloughborough@gmail.com

Kirti D. Ruikar, Senior Lecturer
School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, UK
k.d.ruikar@lboro.ac.uk

Patricia M. Carrillo, Professor
School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, UK
p.m.carrillo@lboro.ac.uk
summary:Strategic consideration and actions are crucial for organisations in the construction industry to implement e-business successfully and have continuous improvement. However, only focusing on one concept is not sufficient for construction companies to formulate their e-business strategy because of the fragmented needs and requirements within the organisations. To address the industry’s specific needs and requirements, an e- business strategy should include multiple elements rather than one element, and collaboration of partners should lie at the heart of the e-business strategy. Also, the strategic approaches currently available for e- business implementation are mainly ‘reactive’ and lack a long-term consideration or vision. To improve e- business implementation, it is important for organisations in the industry to create a positive organisational culture and consider both the emergent and long-term needs across organisation boundaries. This paper presents a Strategic e-Business Framework for organisations in the construction industry. The Framework provides a holistic approach for e-business strategy formulation and implementation. Organisations in the industry can work out a comprehension business solution for their e-business implementation using the Framework. The recommendations are also presented to illustrate how the Framework can benefit organisations in the construction industry potentially.
keywords:electronic business, construction industry, strategy, framework
full text: (PDF file, 0.8 MB)
citation:Chen Y, Ruikar K D, Carrillo P M (2013). Strategic e-business framework: a holistic approach for organisations in the construction industry, ITcon Vol. 18, pg. 306-320, https://www.itcon.org/2013/15