Ghansah, F A; Owusu-Manu, D G; Ayarkwa, J; Edwards, D J and Hosseini, M R (2022) Assessing the level of awareness of smart building technologies (sbts) in the developing countries. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 20(3), pp. 696-711. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the awareness level of smart building technologies (SBTs) among construction professionals in developing countries such as Ghana, and identify the key factors that have the significant capability of influencing the awareness level significantly. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through questionnaire survey from 227 construction design team and project managers in the Ghanaian construction industry. Descriptive analysis and multivariate analysis using multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Findings: Averagely low level of SBTs awareness was observed to exist among professionals in the construction industry of Ghana. The study further revealed “training programs” by organizations and “individual knowledge” as the key factors capable of significantly influencing the level of SBTs awareness in the construction industry of developing countries, particularly Ghana. Practical implications: This paper identified training programs by organizations and individual knowledge as the two key factors having significant capability of influencing the SBTs awareness in the construction industry of developing countries such Ghana. The two factors can be incorporated in policymaking process via considerations to help create SBTs awareness, such as encouragement of continuous professional development toward smart building concept in relation to construction sustainability. Originality/value: This study conceptualizes from a systematic professional perspective and provides empirical evidence on the key significant factors capable of influencing the awareness of SBTs in the developing countries such as Ghana.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | awareness level; building performance; construction industry; developing countries; influencing factors; sbts |
| Index terms: | multiple-regression, design team, developing country, encouragement, low level, construction professional, methodology, influencing factor, project manager, construction industry, survey, smart building, building performance, program, evidence, multivariate analysis, questionnaire, Ghana, smart building technology, professional development |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, management, software systems, construction type, measurement and scaling, Geography, risk assessment, statistical analysis, profession, development economics, professional practice, evaluation and assessment methods, quality assurance, professional development, industry analysis, building innovation, research methods |
| Topics: | Information Management, Risk Management, Design Practice, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Geographical Context, International Construction, Construction Technology, Human Resources |
| 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