The impact of theological innovation on the role of the quality surveyor industry.

Abstract

Rapid advancements in information technology has created a variety of new construction-related software packages and applications that have a significant influence on the role of quantity surveying. The extent of these developments need to be determined, as well as the examination of mitigating influences, which might have an effect on technology usage. The main objectives of this study was to determine whether emergent new technologies duplicated the activities of traditional QSs, and what, if any, areas and services rendered by QSs might be affected if new software packages and applications were embraced. The study examined whether these new technologies were used by QSs in their firms and practices to advance the range of the services they rendered to the construction industry, and whether QSs were embracing their full potential. This study used quantitative methods and utilised questionnaires as the survey instrument for data collection. Relevant previous studies on technology and its potential to affect operations in construction were researched to guide the research design and methods. The collected data were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v 25. A sample of 178 QSs were drawn from the Durban area who were self-employed QSs as well as QS professionals employed in industry. The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) and the South African Council for Quantity Surveying Professionals (SACQSP) databases provided the contact information of registered QSs practicing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. QSs without professional affiliations were also surveyed. The findings of the study sought to improve the services currently offered by QSs and the potential of technological advancements and developments. This research found that larger firms in terms of annual turnover, employed more QSs; barriers to new technology adoption created limitations on technology acceptance; and high performance expectancies increased the ease of the use of technology/effort expectancy and subsequent acceptance of new technological advances. Further, the study found that new construction-related software packages and applications did not duplicate and affect the roles, functions, activities and services of traditional QS in the construction sector and that QSs had in fact embraced new technology and the potential it offered. The study also found that the acceptance determinants of technology usage affect the adoption of new technology by QSs, and in particular, social influence and top management support were the primary determinants for user acceptance of new technology in the QS industry. The findings also suggest that qualification has emerged as the biggest agitator to determinants of technology use, and that social influence and top management support are the biggest proponents for user acceptance of new technology in the QS industry; and this requires further investigation.