The use of the internet for enhanced knowledge management in the construction industry

As extranet and video conferencing technologies become increasingly accessible and affordable, the possibility arises of globally-based virtual organisations entering and operating in geographically-remote, knowledge-driven, markets - a globalising of competition by virtue of the elimination of regional and national communications barriers. The paper commences by considering the possible future implications of this for the delivery of knowledge-based services at distance. It then discusses whether such developments in virtual working represent a threat or opportunity for the professional knowledge-based sectors of the Construction Industry. It also considers the potential implications for the way of working of the Construction Industry and its global supply and consumption of knowledge-based services and research. The paper speculates whether the prospect of increased availability of standard services by virtual means will be matched by the globalising of the market for non-standard professional services delivered-at-distance by electronically-enabled virtual teams. The paper concludes with recommendations for a research agenda on knowledge-based e-Construction issues.