Improving the use of interorganisational ict in a project-based environment

The objective of this study is to provide insights in current barriers to the intended use of interorganisational ICT in a project-based environment and to formulate strategies for change to eliminate these barriers. Habermas' critical social theory, in particular his concepts of system and lifeworld, is used for a critical analysis. From this perspective, the use of ICT – document and workflow management systems – is studied in four construction projects. The study shows that financial and interests' constraints, time constraints, knowledge constraints, and authority constraints impede actors in using ICT in the intended way. Most of the barriers to the intended use of interorganisational ICT can be traced back to the pre-usage phase. Based on the critical perspective, we formulate suggestions for change to eliminate these barriers