a framework for benchmarking e-procurement in the aec industry
The architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) industry applies a wait-and-see approach because there are no suitable strategic electronic procurement (e-procurement) solutions for the industry. The benefit of electronic procurement is anecdotal for the industry in advance of determining its value. It is necessary to evaluate e-procurement and measure the added value during implementation in order to motivate users to adopt it. In this research project a survey was conducted to provide a clearer picture of the level of penetration of e-procurement. Functional benchmarking parameters were established to quantify the values of e-procurement and an adoption of these parameters in the AEC industry was presented for a later comparison between the construction sector and manufacturing industry. The results of the comparison indicate potential opportunities for e-procurement in the AEC industry. However, there is a conflict with the real situation in the industry in that e-procurement service providers are focused on the supply side not on the demand side; and there is another conflict with current trends in that e-procurement technological providers are focus on individual enterprises not on industry associations. To overcome the conflicts, an electronic business platform is suggested as a strategic e-procurement model for the industry.
benchmarking e-procurement construction industry