Assessment of the Linkages and Leakages in a Cloud-Based Computing Collaboration among Construction Stakeholders

The uniqueness of the construction industry can be understood in the large volumes of information in terms of paper works, processes, and communication disseminated daily. The voluminous information requires close coordination which cloud based systems offer. The aim of this research is to assess the linkages and leakages in a cloud-based computing collaboration among construction stakeholders. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the participants of the study. A questionnaire based instrument was distributed to eighty (80) construction stakeholder in Lagos State, Nigeria. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS v.21. Statistical tools such as frequencies, stacked bars, mean scores, factor analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the study. The result of the study revealed that construction stakeholders rarely utilize cloud-based technologies for their construction processes. Construction professionals that access cloud based technologies, do so with their smart mobile phones, laptops, and tablet. The study classified the leakages that exist in the use of cloud-based technologies as security-based factors, cloud-based infrastructure factors, and cloud-based benefits deficiency based factors. In conclusion, the study revealed that the linkages in the use of cloud-based technologies include knowledge sharing, remote access of back-office activities and engendering collaboration among construction stakeholders. It was recommended that construction stakeholders should leverage on the benefits cloud-based technologies has to offer in today’s competitive economy. Construction stakeholders should be adequately informed on the available cloud-based computing technologies and the additions it can bring into the construction process. Cloud computing technology vendors should improve on the security and privacy features of the platform for adequate protection of building data.