Oyewobi, L; Okanlawon, T T; Ibrahim, K and Jimoh, R A (2025) Influence of blockchain adoption barriers and drivers on potential application areas in the construction lifecycle: Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(3), pp. 1798-1815. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The construction industry faces public criticism for issues like wastefulness, inefficiency, slim profits, scheduling setbacks, budget overruns, quality concerns, trust deficits, transparency, coordination, communication and fraud. This paper aims to assess the nexus between barriers and drivers for adopting blockchain in construction and its impact on construction lifecycle. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research approach was used to collect data using a well-structured questionnaire survey. The survey, which used snowball sampling, included 155 Nigerian construction experts that included architects, builders, quantity surveyors and engineers in the built environment. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), which allowed for a thorough evaluation of the proposed relationships as well as industry-specific insights. Findings: The study's findings validate the conceptual framework established. The results indicate that implementing blockchain across all stages of construction projects has the potential to improve the construction process by 88.2% through its drivers. However, there were no significant relationships found between the barriers to adopting blockchain and the potential application areas in the construction lifecycle. Research limitations/implications: This research was carried out in the South-western which is one of the six geo-political zones/regions in Nigeria, using a cross-sectional survey method. The study did not investigate the interdependence of the identified categories of drivers and barriers, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics and interactions influencing blockchain adoption in construction. The study is expected to stimulate further exploration and generate new insights on how blockchain technology (BT) can influence various stages of the construction lifecycle. Practical implications: The findings will be immensely beneficial to both professionals and practitioners in the Nigerian construction industry in learning about the potential of BT application in improving the construction lifecycle. Originality/value: This paper developed and assessed a conceptual framework by investigating the interrelationships between the constructs. The findings have important implications for the construction industry, as they offer opportunities to improve the construction process and overall lifecycle. The findings are useful for researchers interested in the potential impact of BT on the construction lifecycle and its wider implications.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barrier; blockchain; construction lifecycle; driver; Nigeria; PLS-SEM; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | Nigeria, engineer, quantitative research, quantity surveying, interdependence, coordination, transparency, blockchain, interaction, construction industry, lifecycle, sampling, architect, built environment, dynamics, builder, profit, survey, structural equation modelling, face, scheduling, fraud, conceptual framework, partial least square, questionnaire, practitioner, construction project, construction process, budget overrun, exploration, methodology |
| Subjects: | psychology, operations research, environmental resource management, economic analysis, practitioner, building construction, professional ethics, behavioral psychology, theoretical framing, research methods, Geography, production management, data analysis and analytics, project delivery, financial and cost management, profession, data collection methods, computing systems, organizational analysis, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, statistical analysis, systems engineering, management, professional development |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Site Management, Time Control, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Project Management, Legal Issues |
| 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