Factors affecting the adoption of ict in building and construction projects in Nairobi County

Abstract

The construction industry has to cope with a highly complex, fragmented and unique combination of business relationships and processes. This is because most construction projects involve many phases such as feasibility, design, construction and maintenance. There has been constant complains by various shareholders of inefficient workmanship in the building and construction industry, many collapsed buildings, unfinished construction building due to defect and poor management of projects. This calls for incorporation of appropriate ICT tools so as to change the disturbing trend of project outcome. The researcher aimed at looking at factors affecting adoption of ICT in construction and building projects by looking at factors such as training of employees, cost / benefits, management commitment and project size. The benefits of ICT adoption are primarily perception based and not quantifiable and these perceived benefits define the extent of ICT adoption in building and construction industry. The study took into account the views of other researchers who studied the topic in other countries such as Malaysia, Sweden, European Union and Nigeria as well as their conclusions. This study employed descriptive research design with a target population of 140 registered contractors who fell under category A of registered contractors in Nairobi County. The researcher employed simple random technique by taking 30% of the entire population and used Random sampling to come up with the companies that were involved in the research. Data was collected by use of a close ended questionnaire which was self administered as well as sent electronically. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and then presented using statistical and graphical techniques. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the registered contractors in the building and construction projects have adopted ICT. However, not all project participants have fully adopted ICT with project managers using it more frequently as compared to the project supervisors undertaking the same projects. The factors highlighted by the researcher as affecting the adoption of ICT play a key role in its adoption. The study will help the top management of various projects to realize the importance of ICT adoption in the efficiency of management in the building and construction projects by putting into consideration and improving on the factors discussed in this research work among other factors that may affect the adoption of ICT in the building and construction projects. Future researchers in the same field may also us use this study for references to facilitate their study.