The Proliferation of ICT and Digital Technology Systems and their Influence on the Dynamic Capabilities of Construction Firms

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are changing the way we work and play. Such changes are evident in the design, construction and operation of large construction projects. Programs such as building information modelling (BIM) and various other innovative digital technologies and engineering systems are changing the way we materialise all aspects of construction projects. This proliferation of ICT and digital technologies facilitated the adoption of various innovative approaches in processes and various ICT systems throughout a project life-cycle and across its supply chain. This has great implication on construction firms providing a new challenge by reconfiguring their resources to rise to the new challenges of large construction projects. ICT is changing three different aspects of large scale projects. As a tool during the build, i.e. BIM, for the ongoing building functionality i.e. BMS and lastly benefiting occupants experience. The integration of these three ICT aspects are forcing firms to rethink their current ICT management systems. Through a case study in a large scale healthcare project, this paper uses a case study to investigate the application of various innovative ICT and digital technology systems on the dynamic capabilities of a construction firm and across the supply chain of a project. The case study presented is the New Royal Adelaide Hospital (nRAH) in South Australia. This is a joint venture project under a Public Private Partnership agreement to design and construct AUS$1.85b hospital. The case study showed that various challenging examples of functional complexity exists that required innovative process management approaches by the construction firm to withstand the test and trial of such a complex project, to successful completion. This has further contributed to the elevation of the dynamic capabilities of the construction firm as well as to its overall reputational assets and branding, nationally as well as internationally.