Factors Affecting Usage of Information and Communication Technology Amongst Building Contractors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Drc) Case Study of Kinshasa

Abstract

ICT plays an essential role in the transmission, generation, and interpretation of information for project maintenance, recycling and reusability hence it is evident today that reliance on it is unquestionable. Additionally, introduction of ICT updates the ancient methods of construction and it is therefore an agent of change. This research aimed at assessing the elements that affect ICT usage among building contractors in the DRC. To achieve this objective, the study explored ICT usage level, state of ICT infrastructure in the DRC, elements that affect the use of ICT and the relationship between tenders won and ICT usage. The study was conducted through survey method via collection of data using selfadministered questionnaires distributed to the managerial level (managing directors) and personnel (quantity surveyors, project managers, IT managers and architects, engineers) working in financial class A and B contractor organizations in Kinshasa. Data was analysed by use of Microsoft excel and SPSS. The study established that the use of ICT among DRC building contractors is moderate with ICT infrastructure status being at its rudimentary stages. Project drawings; cost and budgeting and estimating are the most highly computerised activity while modelling and visualisation; email and SMS; and internet mobile are the most common ICT tools application. The study established that budget constraints, highly charged costs in employment of ICT experts and low return on investment (financial factors), inadequate construction ICT content, concerns for losing one’s employment, and satisfaction with existing working technique (human factors), speedy ICT (technological) changes, hardware and software problems related to reliability, security concerns, high ICT obsolescence rate and access to relatively cheap workforce (technical factors) and finally risks of liability, lack of legal support of use of ICT and security implications of use of Information Communication Technology to undertake transactions were the significant elements that affect ICT usage among building contractors in the DRC. The research has also established a strong relationship between ICT and the winning of tenders thus the alternative hypothesis was accepted. The study recommends that contracting firms develop adequate policies that will devote a part of their internal budget to investment in ICT, establishment of a cooperative relationship between ICT contractors and developers for the training of professionals and the development of ICT systems and software that will meet the special operational necessities of contractors in the DRC.