A study of factors that contribute to the perception of under-usage of project management software in construction industry in Malaysia

Abstract

Earlier studies on adoption of ICT in Malaysian construction industry give the impression that Project Management (PM) software is not being utilized to the extent that it should be in the said industry. To identify possible contributing factors to this "perceived under-utilization" of PM software in Malaysian construction industry, a questionnaire survey was carried out. Out of a list of possible factors derived from literature, seven factors were investigated. namely; education leveL acquisition of ICT training by employees, number of years of using PM software, experience with PM software in terms of ·`ease of useandusefulness". internet connectivity, budget allocations by companies to purchase computer hardware and software. and budget allocations by companies for ICT training for employees. The questionnaire forms were sent out to 700 construction-related companies in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and 65 responses were received. It was found that budget allocation by employers for ICT training of employees, budget allocation by employers for purchase of computer hardware and software. access to formal and structured ICT training for construction personnel, and the number of years of having used PM sofnvare, contribute to the perceived under-utilization of PM software in Malaysian construction industry.