Towards Digital Future: Unlocking Strategies to Integrate E-Tendering in the Construction Landscape

Abstract

The advancement of technology has introduced the electronic tendering process commonly known as e-tendering, as a promising approach in the construction industry. Despite its potential benefits, the adoption of e-tendering remains limited in Malaysia. This article intends to reveal the reasons behind the poor adoption of e-tendering in view of integrating improvement in the construction procurement process. Suitable strategies for successful e-tendering adoption will be proposed to transform the Malaysian construction industry into a digital future. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 experienced construction industry players, each with at least five years of experience using the e-tendering system. The snowball sampling technique was employed to identify suitable respondents. Data collected were analysed using thematic analysis, revealing six main groups of strategies: people, process, work environment, service provider, cost and technology. These proposed strategies can serve as a practical guideline for the construction industry players seeking to adopt e-tendering systems. Additionally, they offer valuable insights for construction companies and policymakers in planning, revising, and prioritising appropriate strategies and practices for the future development or upgrading of e-tendering systems within the construction landscape. This study significantly contributes to the knowledge on e-tendering adoption, particularly in Malaysia, and provides valuable support for researchers, construction industry players, and policymakers in their efforts to embrace a digital future in the construction sector.