Information Technology and its Impact on the Project Success at Jordanian Construction Companies

Vol.


Study Terminology
-Information Technology (IT): it's a collection of hardware, equipment, software, networks, databases, information security, and human resources skills for Jordanian construction companies used to communicate in a network framework with other devices and human to obtain information at required speed and accuracy.
-Project Success: it's a process that project excels in it by producing or providing a unique product or service that requires a high efficiency level of human resources skills. The successful project seeks to achieve its goals accurately within cost and time constraints and to ensure that outputs are provided within required quality and desired specifications to meet customer satisfaction.

Study Limits
-Objective Limits: it's limited to verifying IT in its dimensions (Equipment & tools, software, networks, databases, human resources skills, and information security) in project success with its dimensions (project cost, project quality, project time, and customer relationship) in the Jordanian construction companies.
-Temporal Limits: it's represented in the expected time period for completion of this study.
-Human Limits: it's limited to project owner/manager, engineers, accountants, and data entry workers at the Jordanian construction companies.
-Spatial Limits: it's limited to first class category (A) employees at the Jordanian construction companies.

Theoretical Frame and Previous Studies Theoretical Framework Information Technology (IT) Concept
Technology refers to the possibility of implementing advanced and modern scientific methods, which often described by new developments in processes or production, as well as the scientific progress that affect various activities used in it (Salmi, 2017, 4), while (Turban, 2018, 19) defined IT as the technological aspect of information system; which represented in hardware, software, databases, networks and communications used to receive, process, modify, store, and retrieve data.

IT Dimensions
IT plays a fundamental and important role in organizations and projects through the cooperation of elements that formulate basic dimensions of it, where many specialists agree on a set of basic components of IT, the most important are: -Software It's all educational groups of information processing and can be classified into operating system software which manages and supports computer system operations and work as programs to perform direct processing for personal use of end users; such as payroll, processing, manufacturing software, and other programs such as computer design software (CAD) (Hazier & Render 2011, 282-283). They are systems and programs that operate hardware and devices which contain data, information, and knowledge as well as determining operations performs by these devices (Al-Najjar, 2022, 58).

-Equipment & Tools
It's an electronic device directed to accept, process, store, and display data; where due to the diversity, difference, and development of businesses there has been a diversity in different computers (Al-Zoubi, et, al., 2013, 11). It includes devices, hardware, and materials to be used in data processing which don't only include devices such as a computer, printer, keyboard, etc. but also include the possibility of updating it periodically to keep pace with the continuous changes and needs in facility (Al-Najjar, 2022, 58).

-Networks
It's a network of computers connected to each other by high-speed communication channels used by a large number of people in different places. It's a communication media that distribute data and information between several sites in written, audio, or visual form (McKweon, 2015, 7).

-Databases
It's a set of interconnected data and information for the purpose of providing users' requirements (Elmasri, 2021, 38). Data considers an essential part of organization's assets, which must be seen as a resource that must be organized and managed efficiently, and includes all the IT components necessary for the facility to serve end-users. The data resources management also must be an integrated part with organization's strategy and needs (Al-Najjar, 2022, 59).

-Information Security
It's a controlling process on the safety, security, and confidentiality of information by project team due to the connection between information and competitive advantage, as well as determining who deals with this information and data according to project work nature and the validity of information access (Mesquida, 2014). Information security is maintaining data privacy and protecting important data associated with patents and technology ownership, where Internet considers the most dangerous on information security by enabling unauthorized persons to access valuable data, errors in dealing with implementation, and wrong entry. The team must secure physical protection of data, information, software, encryption, and monitoring system to prevent data breaching and to ensure the success of project objectives and information access (Al-Nsour, 2019).

-Human Resources Skills
The human resource plays great importance in organizations, where in IT its importance seems obvious in management and operation of information system, and may outweigh the importance of other physical requirements (Edmondson & Harvey, 2018).

Project Success Project Success Concept
The current era is witnessing a development in construction sector and number of huge and complex projects is increasing day by day, where the major problem that accompanies it lies in the increase in its duration and establishment costs; as estimated in their budget. The controlling and following up on these projects is very difficult and important, which requires great effort by those in charge of managing them to ensure there is no deviation from their duration and cost prescribed in the basic plans, and perhaps the issue of controlling projects in term of its costs is very important to guarantee their successes (Shaaban, 2012, 27). (Saqr, 2021, 2) indicates that a successful project may require manpower at a distinguished efficiency level as well as good training, communication with others, and provision of detailed reports on all achievements made during the project implementation. All of the above will be done under certain and predetermined criteria that contribute to the identification of all those concerned about project and in charge of it. The successful project is one that meets three international criteria for success, which are the implementation of project within specified schedule, achievement of quality objectives sought by the project team and those involve with it, and the completion of project within framework of agreed budget outline (Al-Ali, 2016, 470).

Dimensions of Project Success
There are four objectives of project: the start and end of project, the cost represented in optimal utilization of resources without compromising quality, the performance represented in implementing project as planned with the aim of satisfying customers and achieving their expectations within planned order, appropriate quality in timely manner, and excellence represented in doing something convincing to customers (Theeb, 2017, 66).

-Project Cost
One of the most important factors for organization success is the ability to objectively estimate projects cost and adapt to variables of external environment, which in turn will be affected by many elements and requirements of the competitive environment. The concept of cost used to describe activities methods related to using resources in a way that increases the value provided to customers and achieves goals of organization (Hassan & Yaqoub, 2018). The cost management is a completion of project management triple constraint represented in cost, schedule, and scope where each one of those must be completed in order to complete the project in a timely manner and within available budget. Organizations must achieve the project cost goals by achieving all expectations of clients; therefore, the project must be completed within assigned budget approved by the concerned people (Meredith & Mantel, 2012, 297).

-Project Quality
Today, quality has become one of the most important factors for achieving competitive advantage, where increasing demand for quality from customers has made many organizations realize that they have to provide high quality services to stay competitive (Radwan, 2012, 14-15). The project quality management considers one thing that project management concerned with as a sign of good organization and quality of decisions, where interest in project quality has increased during the boom of economic activity in many world countries (Serrador & Turner, 2015).
The administrative work is an activity that seeks to achieve goals in light of available capabilities and circumstances, whereas the achievement of objectives linked to a specific timetable and plan. The required results can only be reached successfully within commitment to required time limits, where administrative work requires effort and thinking at the planning, directing, organizing, and controlling stages (Alzahrani & Emsley, 2013, 318). Vaisanen and Sahito (2017) emphasizes that time has a precious value in the technology era and rapid development, where it considers one of the manifestations of modern life and its good investment are noble and high-end goals on individuals or organizations level.

-Customers Relationships
It's possible to say that customers are the most important asset in organizations and that success and survival of companies depend on its customers (Eid, 2013, 69). The Customers relationship consider one of the most important issues related to all types of businesses, which is justified by the philosophy of customer guidance and basic principles for continuous improvement of modern companies. The customer satisfaction is the feedback that helps to identify customers' preferences and expectations, where satisfaction considers the basic criterion for performance (Grigoroudis & Siskos, 2010, 1).

Previous Studies
The study of Ghalib and Al-Bakri (2022) reached a set of results, the most important indicates that small projects should take advantage of its available capabilities in the field of communications and websites by following the experiences of local or external successful projects to reduce error margins and adopt a sound scientific approach in small projects of Baghdad.
The study of Al-Kubaisi and Kamal (2022) about professional project management using (PMBOK) methodology reached a set of results, the most important indicates that electronic project management evaluation system provides accurate information to decision-makers because it's a knowledge-rich information base that help in the decision-making processes and can take corrective actions any time to reduce abnormalities in each group of project management processes.
The study of Bilir (2022) found that customer satisfaction has a critical role in project success along with the iron triangle that depends on (CSF) context represented in cost, budget, and scope. The senior management support, teamwork, and active planning consider crucial factors in IT projects of Turkey and lie in ensuring that projects are well focused and avoid wasting effort and resources in less important areas.
The study of Ogbeide et al (2022) on road projects in Nigeria found that successful project need to minimized delays in completion and completed it on time by predicting and identifying possible delay problems in the early stages of project, therefore diagnosing causes of delays to identify and implement the most appropriate economic decisions and provide the best preventive measures that involve active staff participation through team contribution, improved knowledge sharing, and management reviews.
The study of Roslon (2022) related to supported construction projects using artificial intelligence in Poland found that project success depends on aspects related to cost, time, and quality or meeting requirements; from the standpoint of contractors. Study found that high level of customers and their satisfaction has a positive impact on winning new contracts and significantly reduces the likelihood of getting involved in harmful disputes and incurring additional costs.
The study by LaKhdari and Ben Jeddou (2021) found that using ICT saves cost and time, enhances work skills, reduces production costs, and increases productivity of inputs which represent dimensions of project success in the Arab Maghreb countries.
The study of Blasem and Hassan (2020) found an interest of project management to search for suitable alternatives to the raw materials used in project achievement with a lower environmental impact, the impact of company's senior management to completed it on time, and the presence of project management interest in scheduling and planning to ensure its completion within specified time in the Oil Projects Company / East Baghdad field.
The study of Al-Nsour (2019) found that attitudes of workers in IT projects came at a high significance level and their attitudes to the performance improvement dimensions of project plan implementation came also at high significant degree. The study indicates a clear statistical significant impact on improving performance of project plan implementation whenever using IT in the construction projects management at Salt Governorate of Jordan.

Study Methodology
Study Nature and Type: it's an applied study in nature, descriptive in terms of purpose where it will test the impact between variables, and it's a quantitative in terms of mechanism and procedures (Saunders et al., 2007). It considered an unplanned research because it is conducted in the natural environment of Jordanian construction companies (Al-Najjar et al., 2020, 53-56). Adopted Strategy: researchers relied on survey/ sampling strategy of first -class construction companies/ category A for the purposes of representing study population. (89) companies operating in the construction field/ first class/ category A in the capital of Amman/Jordan. Study Sample: researchers relied on the equal random stratified sample method of construction companies for the purposes of representing study population, where researchers distributed (3) questionnaires for each company, and accordingly the size of study sample become (267) questionnaires dispersed on Jordanian construction companies and recovered (259) valid for analysis. Analysis Unit: the inspection unit consisted of a project owner/manager, engineer, accountant, and data entry persons working in the construction companies/first-class/ category A in the capital of Amman/ Jordan. Data Collection Methods: This study has relied on the descriptive analytical approach that suits study model by collecting necessary data from owners of construction companies who represent the study society, where study focused on two sources for data collection, which are:

Secondary Data
Researchers viewed secondary sources represented in the relevant Arab and foreign references, periodicals, reports, and researches which dealt with study variables and their dimensions, where researchers adopted data documentation based on (American Psychological Association (APA) system, 2020).

Primary Data
Researchers relied on the questionnaire to collect primary data, which was prepared specifically for the study in order to address analytical aspects of study topic, where questionnaire included a number of items that reflect study variables and its dimensions; in a way that cover both of independent variable (information technology) and dependent variable (project success). Table (1) shows the population and sample of study Table (2) shows the personal and job characteristics of study sample, where it indicates a convergence between males and females in construction companies, with an increase in the percentage of males at (56.0%) compared to females with (44.0%), which an indication that construction companies attract employees with competencies and experience regardless of gender. It was also found that majority of sample members are youth, where the age group (30 yrs.-less than 40 yrs.) formed (45.2%) as a largest while the group (less than 30 yrs.) constituted (23.9%). However, sample members were distributed among all experience categories with a relative increase in (5 yrs.-less than 10 yrs.), which amounted to (31.7%) and indicated that respondents have the required experience to work. The sample members were also distributed on all job titles, with a relative increase for the category (engineer) of (39.8%) which aligns with the nature and needs of construction work. Finally, the sample members owned academic qualifications with bachelor category as the largest at (64.5%). Table (3) shows the description of different study variables.  (3) shows that relative importance of the two variables of study model (information technology, project success) was medium and the same for all their subdimensions, which indicates that attitudes of the sample members towards these variables were not at high importance, and that interest in IT needs greater attention from management. Despite the mean convergence of sample members' responses on dimensions of (information technology) variable but the mean of (human resources skills) dimension was the lowest with (3.337), which indicate that respondents are not convinced about the workers' skills in construction companies to support IT in it.

Study Variables Description
In addition, the evaluation of projects' success through importance of its dimensions by management is still not agreed on its high importance by sample members, especially since the dimension (project quality) was the last; in terms of arithmetic mean value for sample members' approvals, which confirms that respondents believe management doesn't support project success and their dimensions, especially that quality needs direct management support. (Hair et al., 2017). Testing Measurement Outer Model: its goal is to achieve validity and reliability -Validity: it's the ability to measure what is required, or the ability of a measurement instrument to achieve its intended purpose.

Study Model Tests
-Reliability: it's the ability of instrument to measure the required goal under different conditions, where measurement model test divided into two parts: ▪ Convergent Validity ▪ Discriminate Validity Testing Convergent Validity: it includes three tests (Hair et al., 2017).
• Individual item reliability for questions, which must be greater than (0.70).
• Average Variance Extracted (AVE), which must be greater than (0.50). Figure (2) shows the different saturations of questions while table (4) shows indicators summary for the three convergent validity elements of measurement model.  It shows from table (4) the following -All loading factors values were greater than (0.80) and consider acceptable for statistical analysis purposes and indicate convergence validity in the measurement model (Hair et al., 2017, 138).
-All Cornbach Alpha values for variables were between (0.935-0.957) which are greater than (0.70) and indicate good reliability and convergent validity in the measurement model (Hair et al., 2017, 138).
-All CR values of variables were above (0.70) which confirm the convergence validity in measurement model (Hair et al., 2017, 144).
-All calculated mean variance values (AVE) for variables were greater than (0.50) which all statistically acceptable and confirm the convergence validity of measurement model (Hair et al., 2017, 138). The above results of convergent validity indicators confirm the availability of convergent validity in the measurement model tests.
Testing Discriminate Validity: it consists of two parts of tests (Hair et al., 2017) -Cross Loading Variables. It shows from table (5) loading of variables and their correlation with each other. It shows from table (5) that correlation between the sub-variables of independent variable IT between equipment and tools with itself came to (0.883), which is higher than correlation between the rest of variables, and for software with itself it amounted to (0.869), which is higher than all correlations with the rest of variables while for information security with itself it reached (0.908), which is higher than correlations to all other variables but for networks with themselves it came to (0.876), which is higher than correlations with the rest of variables; other than databases which came to (0.895) but still very close to it. The interconnection of databases with themselves came to (0.890), which is higher than correlation with other sub-variables; except for networks which came to (0.895), but still very close to them. Finally, the interconnections of HR skills with itself reach (0.890) which is higher than all correlations with other variables of the independent variable IT.

A. Independent Variable: Information Technology (IT)
The above analysis confirms discriminatory validity of measurement model for subvariables of independent variable/ IT Hair et al (2017) as shown in table (6) below. It shows from table (6) that all software questions came higher than if it were placed in another variable from the sub-independent variable/ IT, where it noticed that first question of software with its variable came to (0.866), which is higher than if it was placed in any other variables. Results also found that all questions of equipment & tools came higher than if it were placed in another variable from subindependent variable/ IT, where it noticed that first question of equipment & tools with its variable came to (0.845), which is higher than if it were placed in any other variables.
Results in table (6) showed that all questions of networks came higher than if it were placed in another variable from the sub-dependent variable/ IT, where it noticed that first question of networks with its variable came to (0.876), which is higher than if it was placed in any other variables. Results also found that all database questions came higher than if it were placed in another variable from the sub-independent variable/ IT, where it noticed that first question of databases with its variables came to (0.867), which is higher than if it were placed in any other variables. Results of table (6) showed that all information security questions came higher than if it were placed in another variable from the sub-dependent variable/ IT, where it noticed that first question of information security with its variables came to (0.908), which is higher than if it were placed in any other variables. Results also indicated that all questions of human resources skills came higher than if it were placed in another variable from the sub-independent variable/ IT, where it noticed that first question of human resources skills with its variables came to (0.866), which is higher than if it were placed in any other variables. The above analysis confirms discriminatory validity of measurement model for sub-variables of independent variable/ IT (Hair et al., 2017). It shows from table (7) that correlation between the sub-variables of dependent variable project success came between customers relationship with themselves to (0.891), which is higher than correlation between the rests of other sub-variables while the project cost with itself came to (0.880), which is higher than correlation between the rests of other sub-variables; whereas the correlation of project quality with itself came to (0.874), which is higher than correlation between the rests of other sub-variables.

B. Dependent Variable: Project Success
Finally, the correlation of project time with itself came to (0.903), which is higher than correlation between other sub-variables in the dependent variable. The above analysis confirms discriminatory validity of measurement model for sub-variables of dependent variable (Hair et al., 2017), as shown in table (8) below:  (8) that all cost questions came higher than if it were placed in another variable of the sub-variable dependent on the success of projects, where it noticed that first question of project cost with its variable came to (0.854), which is higher than if it were placed in any other variables. It was also found that all project quality questions came higher than if it were placed in another variable from dependent sub-variable project success, where it noticed that first question of project quality with itself came to (0.853), which is higher than if it was placed in any other variables.
It found from table (8) that all project time questions came higher than if it were placed in another variable from the dependent sub-variable project success, where it noticed that first question of project time with itself came to (0.894), which is higher than if it was placed in any other variables. It was also found that all questions of customer's relationship came higher than if it were placed in another variable of the dependent sub-variable project success, where it noticed that first question of customer's relationship with itself came to (0.88), which is higher than if it was placed in any other variables. The above analysis confirms discriminatory validity of measurement model for the sub-variables of dependent variable project success (Hair et al., 2017).

-Variable Correlation Tests (Root Square of AVE)
Researchers calculated (Root Square of AVE) through the excel program, where conditions require that (Root Square of AVE) value should be greater than (0.50) (Hair et al., 2017). as shown in table (9) below  (9) that Root Square of AVE values were greater than (0.50) which indicates the discriminatory validity of measurement model (Hair et al., 2017, 144).

Structural Model Tests (Inner Model)
Researchers made required tests to prove structural model, (Hair et al., 2017 (Hair et al., 2017, 144), while table (11) shows the predictive relevance.  (11) that (predictive relevance Q2=0.800), which is greater than zero and indicates the model's ability to predict (Hair et al., 2017). The above analyses confirm the correctness of structural model.

Study Hypotheses Test
The analysis of hypotheses depended on (Smart PLS4) while analysis based on (Preacher & Hayes, 2008).

Discussion of Study Hypotheses
The main hypothesis has been discussed through figure (3) and table (12) path analysis.  It shows from figure (3) and table (12) that relationship between the variable (information technology); in its dimensions and project success; in its dimensions has reached (β= 0.892) and that value of (t=61.190) at a significant level (Sig=0.000), which proves that relationship between IT; in its dimensions and project success; in its dimensions is at high level and significant.
It showed that value of software coefficient reached (β=0.918) and that value of (t=72.997) at a significant level (Sig=0.000), which is less than (0.05), significant, and proves the significance of software coefficient. It showed that value of equipment & tools coefficient reached (β=0.927) and that value of (t=71.311) at a significant level (Sig=0.000), which is less than (0.05), significant, and proves the significance of equipment & tools coefficient.
It showed that value of networks coefficient reached (β=0.955) and that value of (t=143.663) at a significant level (Sig=0.000), which is less than (0.05), significant, and proves the significance of networks coefficient. It showed that value of databases coefficient reached (β=0.945) and that value of (t=94.44) at a significant level (Sig=0.000), which is less than (0.05), significant, and proves the significance of databases coefficient.
It showed that value of information security coefficient reached (β=0.904) and that value of (t=63.787) at a significant level (Sig=0.000), which is less than (0.05), significant, and proves the significance of information security coefficient. It also showed that value of human resources skills coefficient reached (β=0.920) and that value of (t=81.941) at a significant level (Sig=0.000), which is less than (0.05), significant, and proves the significance of human resources skills coefficient. The above analysis proves that all paths were significant and this proves the significance of coefficient values.
It shows from figure (3) and table (10) that value of (R 2 =0.801) which proves that IT; with its dimensions (equipment & tools, software, networks, databases, information security, and human resources skills) has explained (80.1%) from the variance in project success; with its dimensions (project cost, project quality, project time, and customer's relationship) at the Jordanian construction companies. Based on the above analysis, researchers rejected the null hypothesis and accepted alternative hypothesis, which stated :"There is a statistically significant impact at a significant level (a<0.05) for information technology with its dimensions (equipment & tools, software, networks, databases, information security, and human resources skills) on the project success with its dimensions (project cost, project quality, project time, and customers relationship) at the Jordanian construction companies.

Finding and Recommendations
Results Discussion 1-The relative importance of variables: study results showed that relative importance of various study variables (information technology, project success) came all medium, where IT ranked first and project success second which indicates the interest of sample members at surveyed construction companies/ first class/ category (A) to provide the best dimensions of IT in construction projects, where technology considers one of the important mechanisms for success of construction projects. The results of current study agreed with Al-Nsour (2019) study in the importance of using technological means and tools in project management; as it achieves optimal use of time, better quality control, and the speed in delivering important information about project management. The results also agreed with Roslon (2022) study about the high relative importance of selecting appropriate physical solutions and technology to perform work using artificial intelligence and algorithms on the success of construction projects in a public utility building on a street in Warsaw, Poland.

2-
The results of hypothesis test showed a statistically significant impact at the significance level (α≤0.05) for IT; in terms of its dimensions (equipment & tools, software, networks, databases, information security, and human resources skills) on the success of projects; in terms of its combined dimensions (project cost, project quality, project time, customers relationship) at the Jordanian construction companies.
The results of current study agreed with Al-Nsour (2019) study which found a clear statistically significant impact on improving the performance of project plan implementation when using IT in project management in construction companies at Salt governorate of Jordan. It agreed with the study of LaKhdari and Ben Jeddou (2021) which showed that using IT saves cost and time, enhances work skills, reduces production costs, and increases inputs productivity representing the dimensions of project success in Al-Maghreb countries. Results agreed with Bilir (2022) study which showed that customers satisfaction have crucial role on the success of projects in Turkey. Roslon (2022) also agreed that success of AI-powered projects depends on the cost, time, and quality of supported construction projects in Poland.

Recommendation
1-The need to adopt using technological methods in construction projects; due to its major role on reducing cost and time of projects, reaching right quality, and improving the relationship with customers. 2-Encouraging the management of construction projects to continuously using advanced technological means of software, hardware, equipment, tools and networks to enhance the success of construction projects. 3-Senior management in construction projects should adapt to a clear vision in the formulation and implementation of necessary strategy for using advanced IT to ensure the success of construction projects. 4-Prepare and conduct training programs for project team on using the technology in projects to improve their performance. 5-The study recommends that future studies should be directed to include other economic sectors.

Conclusion
Information technology in construction projects has improved the sharing of information among the individuals working for the company. It also plays an essential role in the success of construction projects through the optimal use of resources, reduction of time and cost, and quality control. The study found that relationship between IT variable with its dimensions and the projects' success reached (β=0.892) and that (t=61.190) value significant at level (0.000), which proves a significant relationship between IT and the projects' success in its dimensions. The study also found that value of (R 2 =801%) which means that IT with its dimensions has explained (80.1%) of variation in projects' success and its dimensions at the Jordanian construction companies.