Influence of information communication technology applications on performance of architects in construction projects in public sector: the case of Directorate of public works, Kenya

Abstract

Many studies regard the construction industry’s failure to keep pace with ICTs as a major problem affecting its performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of ICT applications on the performance of architects in construction projects. The objectives of the study were; to establish the extent to which ICT Infrastructure, how efficiency of ICT Hardware systems, the extent to which ICT Software capability, to assess the influence of Communication systems and to examine how human resource (ICT Support staff) influences the performance of architects in construction projects in public sector. Methodology used was descriptive survey design and targeted a population of 78 architects of the Directorate of public works, Ministry of Lands Housing &Urban Development (MOLH&UD). The study used census sampling method and used a 5 point likert scale. The study’s hypotheses testing confirmed acceptance of alternative hypotheses (H1): The correlational analysis indicated that ICT Infrastructure had a correlation coefficient of 0.867, Hardware Efficiency 0.763, Software Capability 0.932, which showed a strong relationship while Communication Systems 0.667 and human resource(Support staff) 0.567 showed moderate relationship to performance. From the study findings 93.75% agreed that ICT application help architects increase productivity, 84.375% agreed that ICT applications help increase architects efficiency, 71.875%, agreed that ICT application help architects produce quality information, 81.25% agreed that ICT applications help architects produce quality work and output, 84.375% agreed that ICT applications help in reduction of working time while 46.87% agreed that their organization had modern ICT applications equipments which implied that availability of modern equipments in institution was highly determined by availability of resources. Based on the findings of the study the following recommendations were made: Increase training and development of the ICT Support staff. Install ICT applications systems relevant to the architects’ needs, Architectural departments need to install ICT infrastructure related to construction projects, Architects to use efficient ICT hardware and ICT software capable of accomplishing the architectural tasks, greater stakeholder’s participation in the development to promote ownership and organizations to upgrade their ICT equipments to conform to the ever changing technology environment. Further research were suggested on; the influence of organizational culture on architects’ performance, the influence of leadership skills on architects’ performance, the implementation of computerintegrated design and construction, the development of new tools to support concurrent practice and to assist architects in the conceptual stages.