Information and communication technology (ICT) supported supply chain management: Benefits for construction business in landlocked developing nations

The Construction business scenario in Zambia is such that the local industrial base cannot fully support construction; hence contractors import most of the materials. However inaccessibility to the sea and highly bureaucratic border control systems cause extraordinary transport costs, acute delays on projects and severe logistical challenges to construction in general. The general characteristics of construction industries - such as fragmentation and rudimental operations -, regional political squabbles and general global business trends create unpredictable and hard to control effects on projects that exacerbate competitive disadvantages for companies with poor capital base. This research looks at how contractors in landlocked underdeveloped nations can apply the principles of supply chain management (SCM), locally and regionally, with the support of basic information and communication technology (ICT) systems to improve their logistical operations, and invigorate business competitiveness. The research proposes a schematic model that contracting businesses can use so as to stay afloat.