Chen, X; Chang-Richards, A Y; Yiu, T W; Ling, F Y Y; Pelosi, A and Yang, N (2024) A multivariate regression analysis of barriers to digital technologies adoption in the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(11), pp. 4281-4307. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: With growing concern about sustainable development and increased awareness of environmental issues, digital technologies (DTs) are gaining prominence and becoming a promising trend to improve productivity, sustainability and project performance in the construction industry. Nonetheless, the uptake of DTs in the construction industry has been limited and plagued with roadblocks. This study aims to identify critical barriers for construction organisations to adopt DTs and to demonstrate relationships between organisational characteristics and the perceived DTs adoption barriers. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted an explanatory sequential design by combining the advantages of quantitative and qualitative data. Data collection methods include literature review, a pilot study, questionnaire survey, and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaire data were analysed by using SPSS and multivariate regression technique. The interview data were processed by using content analysis to validate and supplement findings from the questionnaire. Findings: Based on the survey and interview results, eight critical barriers were identified: the three top critical barriers are (1) "status quo industry standards", (2) "lack of client interest" and (3) "lack of financial need/drive for using DTs". The eight critical barriers were further classified into technical, environmental, and social dimensions to determine the major constructs that hinder DTs adoption. A theoretical framework articulating critical barriers with underlying components and root causes was also proposed. Furthermore, by using multivariate regression analysis, a model was developed to link the organisational characteristics with barriers to DTs adoption. Practical implications: By referring to the framework and the model developed, academics, industry practitioners, and decision makers can identify pivotal areas for improvement, make informed decisions and implement remedial measures to remove the barriers to digitalisation transformation. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on construction innovations by investigating barriers to DTs adoption holistically as well as perceptions of the impact of organisational attributes on these barriers. It establishes the groundwork for future empirical research into the strategic consolidation of movement of DTs adoption and diffusion.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | adoption; barriers; construction industry; digital technologies; multivariate regression; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | digital technology, construction innovation, methodology, questionnaire, practitioner, content analysis, literature review, sustainable development, survey, interview, environmental issue, digitalization, movement, dimension, construction industry, regression analysis, organizational characteristic, project performance, productivity, transformation, construction organization, becoming |
| Subjects: | health safety and environment, research methods, philosophical process, building construction, environmental issues, health behaviours and lifestyles, practitioner, organization, digital technology, project management theory and practice, management, industry analysis, statistical analysis, sociology, computing systems, data collection methods, business, data analysis and analytics, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Project 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