Critical Look into the Relationship between Information and Communication Technology and Integrated Project Delivery in Public Sector Construction

Abstract

The relationship between integrated project delivery (IPD) and information and communication technology (ICT) in the context of public sector construction in the United States is critically examined in this paper. While IPD is gaining significant attention lately from educators and researchers alike, the current body of knowledge lacks information about how project owners—the key stakeholders in construction who decide on the type of project delivery system—perceive IPD. In addition, there has been little to no research investigating the relationship between IPD and ICT, taking the degree (extent) of use and type of ICT (internal versus external) into consideration. This study attempts to fill these research gaps. Using 59 survey data points collected from various public sector owners in the United States, this study investigates two research questions: (1) the perception of IPD characteristics on project delivery effectiveness, and (2) the perception that ICT fosters IPD. The perception regarding the impact of ICT use on IPD is further investigated by the degree and type of ICT use. The authors found that public sector owners view IPD characteristics as beneficial and agree that IPD can improve project delivery effectiveness. The authors further observed that these owners generally believe that ICT fosters IPD. However, the perception is influenced by the degree of their ICT use. Greater use of ICT contributes to a more positive perception about the impact of ICT on IPD. However, this was found to be valid only for internal or intraorganizational use of ICT. The authors believe that lack of experience with external (interorganizational) use of ICT and lack of effective interoperability might have contributed to this finding. It is concluded that IPD is still new in public sector construction but that it will continue to receive increasing attention in this field. Major barriers are rooted in the way public owners perceive IPD. Their perceptions are influenced by contractual and statutory limits and resulting lack of experience with ICT and IPD. The authors believe that the findings of this study will be useful in alleviating these barriers.