Assessment of e-business implementation in the US construction industry

Construction is known for its conservative attitude towards adopting technology. Traditionally, the construction industry is the last one to accept changes brought by advancements in technology when compared to other industries. Today, many contractors have Enterprise Web Sites or use Project Specific Web Sites (PSWS) to share information with other partners, customers and suppliers. Industry players have formed various industry specific marketplaces to unite the buyer with the seller in cyberspace. This study examines whether the construction industry has redefined its way of doing business based on e-Business. It focuses on the adoption of e-Business into project management systems by general contractors. The development of business transactions such as e-Procurement, trade exchange, and business strategies such as project collaboration, project management, CRM, and knowledge/data management are discussed, taking into consideration such issues as availability and reliability in the current business environment, with their advantages and disadvantages.