Abstract:
Digitalization plays an important role in 21st century business success or failure. Companies founded after the 1990s built digitalization into their startup plans, whereas companies started before the 1980s had to reconfigure themselves to compete in a digitalized world. Companies in developing countries have less access to digital resources compares to developed country and these companies must often spend more of their budget on basic needs. In Lebanon, Engineering and construction (E & C) all of the problems mentioned above and rely on systems and methods used prior to the digital age. To the author knowledge, Lebanon lack behind in digitalization and does not currently have the infrastructure needed to support digitalization. This study was undertaken to assess the obstacles to digitalization currently faced by C & E firms in Lebanon with the goal of helping companies find ways to overcome these obstacles and enter the digital age. Findings showed that employee resistance and lack of training are not as big a problem in Lebanon as in other areas. The biggest problem, lack of infrastructure, will take a considerable amount of time and energy to overcome. Engineering and construction companies who wish to become digitalized must work not only at the local level but at the national level to help build an infrastructure capable of supporting Lebanon’s digitalized and globally connected companies.
