Weerapperuma, U S; Rathnasinghe, A P; Jayasena, H S; Wijewickrama, C S and Thurairajah, N (2025) A knowledge framework for blockchain-enabled smart contract adoption in the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(1), pp. 374-408. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: A novel facet of the construction industry's (CI) digital transformation relates to the rise of smart contracts, and the contribution of blockchain technology in this domain appears to be nascent but rapidly gaining traction. Although the benefits of digitalisation for technologically less enthusiastic CI are irrefutable, the adoption of smart contracts has been found to be low pertaining to industry professionals' behavioural factors stimulated by technological perception. The challenge undertook by this study, therefore, is to develop a knowledge framework for blockchain-enabled smart contract adoption in the CI. Design/methodology/approach: From a methodological perspective, this study employed a qualitative approach that involved semi-structured interviews with ten (10) highly experienced CI practitioners involved in digital innovations for data collection. Directed content analysis was performed using NVivo 12 software, which enabled the creation of preliminary open codes. Subsequently, these open codes were grouped into similar categories to develop axial codes. Finally, the study presented final themes along with their corresponding descriptions. Findings: Notably, research findings expanded the current body of knowledge on perceived attributes and their measurement items to determine the perception of innovation adoption in CI, where a total of nine (9) perceived attributes were associated with thirty-two (32) measurement items. Originality/value: The measurement items were seen as having an extensive impact on the CI professionals' decision to adopt blockchain-enabled smart contracts. With ensuing implications, this study represents one of the first to present a knowledge framework exclusively customised for blockchain-enabled smart contracts, laying the groundwork for effective technological adoption by CI professionals.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | blockchain; construction industry; diffusion of innovation; innovation adoption; knowledge management; smart contracts |
| Index terms: | knowledge management, body of knowledge, practitioner, methodology, traction, content analysis, digitalization, interview, open code, blockchain, diffusion of innovation, construction industry, smart contract, transformation, qualitative approach, innovation adoption |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, business, computing systems, data analysis and analytics, professional development, industry analysis, programming, innovation studies, practitioner, digital technology, knowledge management, research methods, transportation engineering |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Digital Applications, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| 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