Short answer
When designing or recommending ICT solutions for industries in developing economies, prioritize robust, cost-effective tools that address immediate efficiency gains while acknowledging and planning for infrastructure limitations like power supply and data management.
- Field
- Commercial Production
- Source
- The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (2006)
- Method
- Survey
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
While Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has significantly streamlined core design and calculation processes in the Nigerian construction industry, challenges in data management, power supply, and cost hinder its full potential. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2006 study published in The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. Using Survey, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or recommending ICT solutions for industries in developing economies, prioritize robust, cost-effective tools that address immediate efficiency gains while acknowledging and planning for infrastructure limitations like power supply and data management.
ICT adoption in construction boosts efficiency but faces infrastructure and cost hurdles.
While Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has significantly streamlined core design and calculation processes in the Nigerian construction industry, challenges in data management, power supply, and cost hinder its full potential.
The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries · 2006
Key Findings
- 01Core design and calculation functions (drawing, engineering design, bills of quantities) are largely computerized.
- 02Data and document management remain largely traditional.
- 03Internet usage is growing, primarily for email, with limited exploitation of e-business and e-data transfer.
- 04ICT has improved job ease, decision-making, and reduced operating costs.
- 05Key obstacles include unreliable electricity supply and high ICT hardware/software costs relative to economic conditions.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing or recommending ICT solutions for industries in developing economies, prioritize robust, cost-effective tools that address immediate efficiency gains while acknowledging and planning for infrastructure limitations like power supply and data management.
How to apply
When developing a new software tool for a global market, research and understand the typical infrastructure and economic conditions in various regions to tailor the product and its implementation strategy.
Project actions
- 01When researching technology adoption, consider the real-world challenges users face beyond just the technology itself.
- 02Investigate how economic factors and existing infrastructure influence the success of new technologies.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses a gap in research for developing countries.
- +Provides practical insights into ICT adoption challenges and successes.
Limitations
The study's findings are specific to Nigeria in 2006 and may not be directly applicable to current global practices or other developing countries without further investigation.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability could be enhanced by using standardized survey instruments and ensuring a representative sample across different firm sizes and specializations. Validity is supported by the focus on specific, measurable aspects of ICT adoption and impact within a defined professional context.
Think critically
To what extent does the 'digital divide' in developing economies necessitate the design of hybrid solutions that blend traditional and digital methods, and what are the long-term implications of such approaches?
Design Principles
"Technology adoption is contingent on contextual factors such as infrastructure, economic viability, and user readiness."
Understanding the practical adoption of technology in a specific industry context is crucial for developing effective implementation strategies. This insight highlights that technological advancement is not solely about the tools themselves, but also about the surrounding infrastructure, economic viability, and user practices.
What This Means for Your Design
Even though computers help construction professionals design things and do calculations, they still struggle with organizing files and documents the old way. Bad electricity and expensive software are big problems, but most people are hopeful about using more technology in the future.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this study to justify the need for context-specific design solutions when your design project targets a market with similar challenges.
- 2.Cite this research when discussing the barriers to technology adoption in your design project's background research.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This study highlights that the successful integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into professional practice is significantly influenced by contextual factors. While core design functions in the Nigerian construction industry have been computerized, traditional methods persist for data and document management. Key obstacles such as unreliable power supply and high costs, coupled with the underutilization of the internet for advanced applications like e-business, underscore the need for context-aware design and implementation strategies. Despite these challenges, a strong optimism for future ICT adoption suggests a potential for growth if these barriers are addressed.
Source
The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
The Impact of ICT on Professional Practice in the Nigerian Construction Industry
journal · 2006
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about ict adoption in construction boosts efficiency but faces infrastructure and cost hurdles?
- When designing or recommending ICT solutions for industries in developing economies, prioritize robust, cost-effective tools that address immediate efficiency gains while acknowledging and planning for infrastructure limitations like power supply and data management. Evidence: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries (2006).
- Why does "ICT adoption in construction boosts efficiency but faces infrastructure and cost hurdles." matter for design?
- Understanding the practical adoption of technology in a specific industry context is crucial for developing effective implementation strategies. This insight highlights that technological advancement is not solely about the tools themselves, but also about the surrounding infrastructure, economic viability, and user practices.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing or recommending ICT solutions for industries in developing economies, prioritize robust, cost-effective tools that address immediate efficiency gains while acknowledging and planning for infrastructure limitations like power supply and data management.
- What were the main findings?
- Core design and calculation functions (drawing, engineering design, bills of quantities) are largely computerized.. Data and document management remain largely traditional.. Internet usage is growing, primarily for email, with limited exploitation of e-business and e-data transfer.. ICT has improved job ease, decision-making, and reduced operating costs.
- What research method was used?
- Survey.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2006 journal from The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new software tool for a global market, research and understand the typical infrastructure and economic conditions in various regions to tailor the product and its implementation strategy.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on a specific region (South West Nigeria) and may not represent the entire country. The data is from 2006, and ICT landscape has evolved significantly since then.