doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7920-4_S1-P06-cd

ABSTRACT

Internet and electronic commerce play an important role in the modern economic environment. However, the adoption of e-commerce technologies, in particular electronic intermediates (e-hubs), in the construction industry is still limited. The main obstacles to the introduction of such technologies in construction are the unwillingness of the subcontractors to participate, the preference in using specific (and reliable) suppliers, the complexity of the construction process, and the lack of effective software platforms. In this paper, an e-hub architecture for application to construction enterprises is presented which aims to simulate and improve the construction supply chain. The e-hub has been designed to accommodate collaboration and business services. A main feature of the proposed design is that it allows action to be taken both at the project level (service procurement or subcontractor selection) and at the company level (material procurement). The system can improve project flexibility and productivity, duty and responsibility distribution among managers, market and opportunity analysis, estimating and process evaluation assessment. It is expected that the development of e-hubs adapted to the needs and the characteristics of the construction industry can lead to considerable time and cost savings and quality improvement.

Keywords: Construction industry, Construction management, E-hub, E-commerce, Information systems, Web applications.

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