Abstract
Small-medium enterprises (SMEs) account for over 95% of the Australia construction industry’s annual outputs. Operational inefficiencies relating to the traditional business models of the SMEs have been found to contribute to the industry’s declining productivity. Cloud-based technologies have been leveraged in other sectors to effectively enhance business operational efficiency. There is little research on the extent to which cloud-based business model (CBBM) could enhance the productivity and performance of the construction SMEs. This research aimed to contribute to filling existing gap in knowledge by developing a structural model of the cloud-based productivity-enhancing constructs and their causal relationships. The descriptive survey investigation method was used because the empirical dataset for the research comprised responses provided in a self-administered questionnaire by survey respondents. The study sampling frame comprised construction SMEs who were registered members of the Master Builders Queensland (MBQld). A three-stage mixed methods research design was used for the data gathering. This approach enabled first stage exploration of the underlying constructs from limited observations using qualitative methods, with enrichment from literature insights, and a second stage relevance-testing of the recurring constructs using a questionnaire survey.Partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilised to examine the key constructs that underpin productivity-enhancing CBBM for construction SMEs. 341 responses were received from survey participants, of which 320 were deemed usable for analysis. Results showed that the key features of an ideal CBBM for supporting productivity performance of construction SMEs comprise Cloud-Computing (Cc) capability as the ‘main hub’ for productivity Performance (Pp), with the following ‘plugins’ as mediating constructs – Mobile Computing (Mc), Big Data and Automation (BdA), Online Visibility (Ov), Stakeholder Collaboration (Sc), and eCommerce (eC). Results further showed that Cc could not predict Pp directly; full mediation in the Cc-Pp causal link was made possible by the mediating influence of Ov – Mc interactions. Firm size did not influence the results, contrary to widely held, albeit anecdotal, belief. Further internal reliability and validity tests confirmed the developed cloud-based business model as being effective for supporting construction SMEs’ productivity performance.
A third stage investigation focused on the development of a construction-specific roadmap for translating the research findings to industry practice through a five-stage strategic implementation pathway for guiding industry operators’ advancement from the current paper-based traditional business operational approaches to the desired digitalized and cloud-based futures that have been found to drive efficiencies, productivity, and long-term success in other sectors.
Overall, the study findings have contributed to bridging important knowledge gap by identifying the key functionalities of cloud-based business model (CBBM) for enhancing the productivity performance of the construction SMEs. The developed implementation roadmap provides evidence-based guidance for supporting construction SMEs’ investment in effective cloud-based business platform needed for their transition to the digital futures and enhancement of their productivity performance. Furthermore, the findings could guide effective policy interventions for supporting construction SMEs’ growth, long-term success, and greater contribution to Australia’s socio-economic development.
| Date of Award | 6 Jun 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Jasper Mbachu (Supervisor) & Dane Miller (Supervisor) |