A Three-State-Model of e-Enterprise for Construction Contractor - A Case Learned in Taiwan

Taking advantages of the advanced information technology, more and more construction businesses begin to adopt the large scale information system, such as web-based project management system, Enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCM), electronic knowledge management (eKM) and so on, to improve the management efficiency and productivity. However, it seems there is no effective model for evaluating and implementing an e-Enterprise. A survey of computerization in Taiwan construction contractors shows that on account of lacking the information technology support, the traditional Nolan and technology transfer Model cannot provide a good suggestion in the process of e-Enterprises. A Three-Stage-Model of e-Enterprise, which based on the information technology, will be proposed in this paper. This model can not only evaluate but also implement an e-Enterprise. This paper also discusses about the e-Enterprise’s case of Taiwan construction contractors , and give some suggestions for their e-enterprises process. Introduction The information technology (IT) has a significantly improvement in the past decade. According to the hardware enhancement and Internet development, there are many new type commercial activities coming into existence, such as e-Business, e-Bidding, e-Marketing and so on. The management manner has also a great revolution. The Enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCM) and electronic knowledge management (eKM) have been introduced into the Business, reforming the framework of the organization and altering the process of their activities. More and more businesses commence to progress the eEnterprises, using the IT to handle the regular businesses activities, data, transaction and get strategic decision support. Due to this phenomenon, the evaluation Model of computerization for the Enterprise has become very important. The Nolan Evolution Model is the most famous one that is referred to this objective. In accordance with the attributes of DP expenditure, Application Portfolio, DP organization, DP Planning and Control User Awareness, it discriminates the computerization’s evolution process of a Business into five gradations, which are Initiation, Contagion, Control, Integration, Data Administration and Maturity. Although this Model provides an evaluation index of computerization, there are still some issues about it. Zuurmond indicates that the Nolan evolution Model cannot provide an appropriate implemental definition for the computerization’s evolution. Drury also points out that there are many ambiguities in its wording, variable and the relationship. The researchers need to define and interpret them by themselves, causing the obstacles in comparison with different research’s reports. On the other way, according to the development of the IT, the classifications that the Model adopted fall behind the tidal current, and many characteristics related with the technology are not contained in it. Therefore, a Three-Stage-Model of eEnterprise, which based on the information technology and organization management, is proposed in this paper. This model cannot be used only to evaluate but also to implement eEnterprises. And a case study of the eenterprises process for the Taiwan Construction Contractors will be discussed in this paper, and some suggestions about then will also be given. Three-stage-Model of e-Enterprise The Three-Stage-Model of e-Enterprise is based on the businesses’ strategies and involvements of the Information Technology. It classifies the process of e-Enterprise into three degrees, which are Digitization, Data Administration, Process Standardization and Reengineering. As the Fig 1 illustrated, the Strategy on IT Special