The perception of commercial construction companies on using technology to review contracts in New Zealand

Abstract

A lack of understanding of project risks and the use of unnecessarily complex contracts have been identified as weaknesses in construction procurement. Contract reviews are often rushed, and risks are not assessed and allowed for appropriately. This process can be improved using digital technology solutions. This research investigated the NZ commercial construction practitioners' views about adopting computational tools to review construction contracts. A mixed-methods study using a survey questionnaire was undertaken and accompanied by descriptive statistical analysis. The sample consisted of 66 participants from different groups within NZ's commercial construction industry. The study found a strong positive response towards digital technology adoption, and the overall perception is that there are benefits to using computational tools for contract review. Findings confirmed that these have not been widely adopted for contract review, mainly due to the lack of familiarity with existing solutions. Further research is recommended to investigate how a small portion of the population is currently using computational solutions. The benefits of manual contract reviews may also be explored to enhance software systems for easier adoption.