Limitations and Perspectives on Use of E-Services in Engineering Consulting

Abstract

In this chapter we analyse organizational challenges when an engineering consultancy in the building industry integrates information and communication technologies (ICT) in the production and delivery of their services, and discuss how the e-service concept can be applied in this context. The analysis is based on a field study on introduction of 3D-modeling tools within one of the leading engineering companies in Scandinavia (Ramboll). The analysis focuses on the changes in knowledge creation and transfer both within the company and in inter-organizational relations. The analysis points towards a need to change the business model as the project engineering part of the technical engineering service becomes standardized.