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Alkalbani, S (2009) Exploring ICT adoption and diffusion in the Omani construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of the Built Environment, University of Salford.

  • Type: Thesis
  • Keywords: collaboration; communication; diffusion; employment; government; information and communication technology; knowledge management; Oman; private sector; productivity
  • ISBN/ISSN:
  • URL: http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/26524/
  • Abstract:

    Realising the importance of the need to shift its economy away from its oil and gas resources, the government of the Sultanate of Oman has developed and launched a long-term development strategy, the ’Oman Vision 2020’ plan (1996-2020) which focuses on ICT and the fundamental establishment of a knowledge economy to increase Oman’s economic productivity and thereby improve the citizens’ livelihood. However, the Omani construction sector, in particular, is lagging behind this vision. Worldwide, construction is the largest industrial sector, and currently in Oman the construction industry is considered to be one of the most important contributors to GDP, and is the largest private sector in terms of employment. The Omani construction economy is deregulated; it is open to external investors who are creating a highly competitive environment which is putting local organisations at threat, many of which are now operating in survival mode. Current practices rely on traditional, paper based processes; communications and collaboration on construction projects are conducted mostly via traditional methods with little use of technology other than telephone and fax; computers and advanced ICT are employed in an ad hoc manner, and there is little evidence of knowledge management. There are a number of limitations, problems, and barriers to the effective development of the industry, and a considerable gap exists between the modus operandi of the construction sectors in the developed economies and that in Oman. The outcome of this research is a staged ICT Construction Roadmap for the diffusion of ICT in the Omani construction industry to bring construction in line with the Sultanate’s Oman Vision 2020. Oman has a long road to follow as it needs first to attain the technological capability and maturity already achieved elsewhere in the world. Once the industry has achieved this, it will then be able to continue advancing with the industries elsewhere and thereby be in a position to compete at an international level.