An investigation into information technology and related factors, and their effect on the UK structural engineering profession
An investigation into information technology and related factors, and their effect on the UK structural engineering profession
This thesis reports a managerial investigation into structural engineering and its use of information technology. Structural engineering has developed from traditional professional origins and is increasingly operating in a more commercial and competitive environment. In addition, recent developments in computer software and hardware provide the mechanisms to semi-automate some of the structural engineer's work. Together these factors provide considerable impetus for change, presenting threats and opportunities.
The study builds on previous work and is based on two significant questionnaire surveys. The first was sent to all UK based structural engineers and the second (the main research instrument) to UK structural engineering firms. The surveys investigate the commercial operating environment and the strategic use of information technology along with the related issues of education, training and changing work practices. The main survey provided 439 valid replies, which represents a 59% response rate (which is significantly higher than comparable studies).
The work has analysed the potential benefits, constraints and threats presented by the available technology and the commercial environment. It has identified significant differences in the strategic use of information technology between the largest and smaller firms and provides evidence of industry restructuring. It analyses factors that impact on the ability of structural engineering firms to win work and issues that pose commercial threats. It provides statistical information and analytical tools that enable organisations to benchmark their operations and thus to maximise their use of information technology in the pursuit and execution of work. The study concludes that information technology can be used to semi-automate and enhance engineering design. It is a powerful strategic weapon but offers threats as well as opportunities and will have far reaching consequences for the structural engineering profession.
University of Southampton
1998
Gardner, Peter John
(1998)
An investigation into information technology and related factors, and their effect on the UK structural engineering profession.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This thesis reports a managerial investigation into structural engineering and its use of information technology. Structural engineering has developed from traditional professional origins and is increasingly operating in a more commercial and competitive environment. In addition, recent developments in computer software and hardware provide the mechanisms to semi-automate some of the structural engineer's work. Together these factors provide considerable impetus for change, presenting threats and opportunities.
The study builds on previous work and is based on two significant questionnaire surveys. The first was sent to all UK based structural engineers and the second (the main research instrument) to UK structural engineering firms. The surveys investigate the commercial operating environment and the strategic use of information technology along with the related issues of education, training and changing work practices. The main survey provided 439 valid replies, which represents a 59% response rate (which is significantly higher than comparable studies).
The work has analysed the potential benefits, constraints and threats presented by the available technology and the commercial environment. It has identified significant differences in the strategic use of information technology between the largest and smaller firms and provides evidence of industry restructuring. It analyses factors that impact on the ability of structural engineering firms to win work and issues that pose commercial threats. It provides statistical information and analytical tools that enable organisations to benchmark their operations and thus to maximise their use of information technology in the pursuit and execution of work. The study concludes that information technology can be used to semi-automate and enhance engineering design. It is a powerful strategic weapon but offers threats as well as opportunities and will have far reaching consequences for the structural engineering profession.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 1998
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 463248
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/463248
PURE UUID: 926d96da-e162-42e1-b15e-1e5d4f851f12
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 20:48
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 20:48
Export record
Contributors
Author:
Peter John Gardner
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics