Benefits of big data application experienced in the construction industry: A case of an Australian construction company

The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) has become the focus of technological innovation in every aspect of the global economy. It is suggested to be the solution to inefficiency and ineffectiveness, and the future for industries. The technologies in the revolution include internet of things, augmented and virtual reality, cloud computing, smart sensors, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and big data. These have given rise to the high rate of generating massive amount of data and in different format, which are required to be analysed for process improvement: Simply termed as big data.  Current studies on big data in the construction industry have recommended some benefits based on inference from other industries. However, the actual benefits of its application appear bleaker in the discourse amongst construction management practitioners and researchers.  Using a constructivist philosophical worldview through a single case study, this study answers the question, what are the benefits of big data application to the construction industry? The selected case is a member of the Australian Constructors Association – which is made up of the large construction companies – and known to be a technology-led company in the Australian construction industry. Construction personnel’s in different portfolios, years' of experience and levels of authority were interviewed through semi-structured interview to share their lived experience on big data application as far as their respective practices were concerned. Data were analysed through first level coding and self-reflections. The preliminary findings reveal the benefits of big data in procurement of subcontractors and suppliers, project monitoring and inspection, as well as claims management on projects. By implication, the findings provide real life experiences of big data application in the construction process. This study contribute to the discourse on the promises of big data as an element of the fourth industrial revolution and the future of the construction industry.