Cultural consciousness and the effective implementation of information and communication technology
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss how culture, influenced by the project setup and contextual issues, impacts on information and communication technology (ICT) engagement, through a multiple perspective approach to cultural assessment. A “cultural lens” is used to understand the level of ICT engagement in project organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
Cultural analysis (CA) is employed as the overarching research methodology. The CA investigates the conflicts between the “espoused values” and “actual beliefs” of members to understand culture. A pre‐existing CA framework with established “espoused values” for ICT implementation is used in this study. Ethnographic interview in a case study setup is employed to extract actual cultural beliefs. These beliefs are then analysed through the CA framework to explain cultural environment and its impact on ICT implementation.
Findings
The ICT‐related behaviour of the project team members is contextual to a project environment. This implies that effective ICT adoption requires careful consideration of the cultural traits in the design and implementation phases. It is suggested that neither a simple linear prescription nor overlooking specific contextual aspects is beneficial for effective ICT implementation.
Originality/value
This paper contributes in developing an understanding of: how CA framework through deciphering “espoused values” and “actual beliefs” can assist in studying organisational issues; and how the contextual issues shape the culture in a project organisation leading to “integrated” or “fragmented” ICT implementation.
Keywords
Citation
Gajendran, T. and Brewer, G. (2012), "Cultural consciousness and the effective implementation of information and communication technology", Construction Innovation, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 179-197. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714171211215930
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited