Title: Improving the use of interorganisational ICT in a project-based environment

Authors: Arjen Adriaanse, Hans Voordijk, Geert Dewulf

Addresses: University of Twente, Construction Management and Engineering, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. ' University of Twente, Construction Management and Engineering, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. ' University of Twente, Construction Management and Engineering, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: The objective of this study is to provide insights in current barriers to the intended use of interorganisational ICT in a project-based environment and to formulate strategies for change to eliminate these barriers. Habermas| critical social theory, in particular his concepts of system and lifeworld, is used for a critical analysis. From this perspective, the use of ICT – document and workflow management systems – is studied in four construction projects. The study shows that financial and interests| constraints, time constraints, knowledge constraints, and authority constraints impede actors in using ICT in the intended way. Most of the barriers to the intended use of interorganisational ICT can be traced back to the pre-usage phase. Based on the critical perspective, we formulate suggestions for change to eliminate these barriers.

Keywords: interorganisational ICT; lifeworld; Habermas; document management; workflow management; construction projects; project management; information technology; barriers; critical social theory; change management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISCM.2011.039069

International Journal of Information Systems and Change Management, 2011 Vol.5 No.1, pp.36 - 53

Received: 03 Nov 2009
Accepted: 15 May 2010
Published online: 29 Nov 2014 *

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