Du, W; M.E. Sepasgozar, S; Khan, A; Shirowzhan, S and Garzon Romero, J (2025) Developing an interactive pile training module for construction risk management and gaging users' intentions. Construction Innovation, 25(3), pp. 893-911. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to develop a novel theoretical model for predicting the users' intention to use virtual tools designed for construction risk evaluation. Risk evaluation is a vital objective for construction managers. This paper intends to examine critical factors such as potential benefits, motivation, performance expectancy and rich sources of information that may affect users' intention to use virtual technology. Design/methodology/approach: A pile training module (PTM) was developed in a virtual environment to analyze the proposed virtual reality-technology acceptance model (VR-TAM) factors. Further, a questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 102 construction professionals in China to validate the proposed VR-TAM model and PTM tool. The retrieved data was computed to test the proposed model by using partial least squares structural equation modeling and the significance of the PTM tool in a virtual environment. Findings: The results of this study reveal that high-significance paths represent five relationships between crucial factors affecting users' intention to use a selected virtual reality (VR) module. Five of seven hypothesis paths were significant with acceptable t-values. By quantitative measurement of high-significance paths, this research has found that each factor under VR-TAM has received significant loadings, with many above the 0.7 threshold mark and others around 0.6. The top factors include "motivation" and "benefits" and have multiplier effects on "intention to use" as the source factors. Practical implications: The finding of this study presents crucial factors for VR adoption, and the proposed VR-TAM model contributes to the body of knowledge toward managing construction risk using pre-optimization and understanding in a virtual environment. This study supports Chinese construction company managers in effectively using VR technology in their construction projects for risk assessment and management. Originality/value: This study offered the development of a novel VR-TAM integrated with risk assessment techniques for piling processes. Further, the developed model was analyzed by using a survey of Chinese construction professionals to collect perceptions about the modified theoretical model of VR-TAM.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM; building; Chinese construction industry; construction technology; innovation; pile training module; PLS-SEM method; risk management; virtual reality; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | module, risk management, construction professional, virtual reality, risk assessment, construction technology, technology acceptance model, construction industry, loading, critical factor, construction manager, questionnaire, methodology, construction project, body of knowledge, partial least square, China, virtual environment, manager, survey, construction company, motivation, structural equation modelling |
| Subjects: | risk assessment, profession, data collection methods, virtual reality, professional development, industry analysis, statistical analysis, organization, digital engineering, practitioner, psychology, construction operations, knowledge management, architectural elements, research methods, Geography, production management, financial risk, acoustic properties |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context, Risk Management, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Human Resources, Site Management |
| 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