Information and Communication Technology Applications in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Organizations: A 15-Year Review

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has had enormous effects on the development of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) organizations in past decades. The effects have resonated in various disciplines, such as organizational efficiency, communication approach, and employee behavior. However, a comprehensive and in-depth review of the ICT applied in the AEC organization is missing from the current literature. To fill this gap, this paper presents an in-depth review of mainstream studies of ICT-supported AEC organizations published in last 15 years (1998–2012). A total of 145 articles from 12 construction and IT-related journals are identified and have been thoroughly reviewed. This review is divided into four parts: (1) synthesis and general trend of existing literature; (2) lessons learned from ICT practical implementation; (3) enabling technologies of ICT applications; and (4) ICT-induced organizational outcomes. Throughout this paper the authors summarize and categorize developments to date, discuss the advances and limitations of the use of ICT, and propose key areas for future research. This review can become a foundation for the classification and integration of the state of the art in ICT research on behalf of AEC organizations.