Content area
Abstract
Trust and collaboration are critical elements of success in construction projects. While advancements in technology and digital tools have facilitated collaboration and information exchange in project management, the industry continues to face significant challenges in achieving efficient and effective project delivery. Blockchain technology has shown promise in enhancing collaboration and trust among stakeholders. In construction, blockchain has been explored for its capabilities in various use cases, including supply chain management, payments, safety, procurement and quality inspections. However, a significant gap remains in establishing a formal framework for understanding blockchain's trust mechanisms and developing use cases that enhance trust and collaboration. This study focuses on three main objectives: (1) developing a formal framework to understand blockchain's impact on trust dynamics, (2) applying this framework to enhance trust and collaboration in contract management, and (3) leveraging blockchain and ontology technologies to improve information flow management.
To examine how blockchain influences trust dynamics in the construction industry, a Blockchain-based inter-organizational trust (BIT) model was developed. This conceptual model determines how blockchain alters inter-organizational trust by establishing system-based foundational trust while enhancing relational and calculative trust. In the context of contractual management, a framework is proposed for a decentralized and transparent e-tendering system. Tendering is a critical phase of contract management that often faces challenges such as unethical practices, bid shopping, security vulnerabilities, and legal disputes due to centralization. The proposed system utilizes blockchain and smart contracts to enhance transparency, trust, and collaboration while reducing reliance on third-party intermediaries. To address challenges in information flow management, such as inefficient information sharing and limited knowledge reuse, a novel digital collaboration platform integrating blockchain and ontology technologies is introduced. In this system, blockchain establishes inter-organizational trust and secure collaboration, while ontology enhances interoperability and facilitates knowledge integration. Together, these technologies improve information management by automating workflows, ensuring data quality and reliability, fostering trust, and clarifying roles and responsibilities. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on blockchain applications in construction, demonstrating its potential to transform trust dynamics, contractual processes, and information management in the industry.
Details
