ICT in construction: can it reduce work-family conflict by decreasing workloads?

Abstract

Amongst industry today, construction managers have some of the highest level of work-family conflict (WFC) primarily due to long work hours, tight deadlines and a masculine working culture. Despite this, there is a paucity of research about the impact of ICT on the work-life balance (WLB) of construction managers. We employed an online survey and conducted three workshops with a major Australian construction company. This paper focuses specifically on the use of ICT and mobile technologies at work for work and home, and outcomes from the workshops. We offer design suggestions which highlight significant opportunities for the adaption or adoption of existing technology, and the design of novel technologies. These could reduce work repetition, workloads and work hours, as well as providing some separation from work at home, all of which could positively impact on the work life balance of managers working in site-based roles in construction.