Development of a web-based system for managing suppliers’ performance and knowledge sharing in construction project

Zi Qian Li, Hai Chen Tan*, Chimay Anumba, Fah Choy Chia

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce a web-based system that provides an efficient means for managing suppliers’ performance which also facilitates the leveraging of suppliers’ knowledge for the benefit of the on-going projects. Design/methodology/approach: Case study approach is adopted. In total, 12 semi-structured interviews are conducted with Malaysia-based public listed construction companies to study their current practice and the requirements for the development of an information and communication technology (ICT) aided system for the purpose. Subsequently, a web-based system for managing suppliers’ performance is developed using ASP.net and MSSQL database. Findings: Most of the case study companies are found to have low levels of ICT adoption and still resort to handling the majority of the tasks involved in the selection and management of suppliers’ performance manually. An ICT-based system that can improve the recording of important information about the suppliers, provide a function for supplier selection and facilitate the capture of useful reusable knowledge of the suppliers is needed. Originality/value: The paper has shown empirically that a web-based suppliers’ performance management system eases the supplier selection process and the monitoring of suppliers’ performance. In addition, it demonstrates how such systems can be designed to capture and facilitate the leveraging of suppliers’ knowledge, and how suppliers’ knowledge contribution can be recognised as part of their performance. The system adopts a novel two-way communication model which provides the suppliers the access to their own performance records to identify room for improvements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)117-129
Number of pages13
JournalBuilt Environment Project and Asset Management
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 May 2017

Keywords

  • Information systems
  • Information technology
  • Knowledge management
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Performance management
  • Supplier management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Management Science and Operations Research

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