van Wyk, L; Kajimo-Shakantu, K and Opawole, A (2024) Adoption of innovative technologies in the South African construction industry. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 42(3), pp. 410-429. ISSN 23984708
Abstract
Purpose: The South African construction industry appears to be lagging behind other industries in the country in terms of implementation and adoption of innovative technologies. Moreover, sufficient empirical data on the adoption of innovative technologies, especially, in developing countries are not readily available. The aim of this study is therefore to assess the adoption and implementation of innovative technologies in the South African construction industry with a view to improving the industry's performance. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was undertaken using a questionnaire, administered to construction professionals primarily in project management, quantity surveying and architectural firms. Findings: The key findings show that there are some innovative technologies such as building information modelling, 3-dimensional mapping, drones, 3-dimensional printing and virtual reality that have been deployed. However, limited adoption of innovative technologies within the industry and low levels of knowledge of its benefits among the respondents were reported. This low implementation of innovative technologies was due to critical barriers such as high cost, limited knowledge, time requirement, fear of change, lack of interest, nature of construction processes and lack of team dynamics. Key drivers of innovation were found to include globalization and competition. Practical implications: The current level of implementation of innovative technologies indicated that they are not yet optimized in the South African construction industry and suggests implications for change, adaptation and growth. The study recommends that firms should consider investing in research and development in order to exploit the potential of innovation for organizations and the industry at large. Originality/value: The drivers and barriers indicated will help to prioritize the direction of adoption and growth which could help to improve the industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; construction; implementation; innovation; innovative technologies |
| Index terms: | survey, developing country, surveying, drone, methodology, mapping, construction process, research and development, globalization, questionnaire, competition, adaptation, building information modelling, architectural firm, low level, construction industry, implementation, project management, construction professional, virtual reality, team dynamics |
| Subjects: | business, user focus, virtual reality, data collection methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, contractual arrangements, professional development, development economics, project management theory and practice, automation and robotics, research methods, spatial and geospatial analysis, management, information systems, economic factors, industry analysis, building construction, research management, measurement and scaling, market analysis |
| Topics: | International Construction, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Site Management, Organizational Design, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here