Zhang, Q; Liu, Z and Yang, S (2025) Enhancing construction workers' health and safety: Mechanisms for implementing construction 4.0 technologies in construction organizations. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(13), pp. 68-103. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The construction industry is notorious for high risks and accident rates, prompting professionals to adopt emerging technologies for improved construction workers' health and safety (CWHS). Despite the recognized benefits, the practical implementation of these technologies in safety management within the Construction 4.0 era remains nascent. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms influencing the implementation of Construction 4.0 technologies (C4.0TeIm) to enhance CWHS in construction organizations. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing upon integrated institutional theory, the contingency resource-based view of firms and the theory of planned behavior, this study developed and tested an integrated C4.0TeIm-CWHS framework. The framework captures the interactions among key factors driving C4.0TeIm to enhance CWHS within construction organizations. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey among 91 construction organizations and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings: The results reveal that: (1) key C4.0TeIm areas are integrative and centralized around four areas, such as artificial intelligence and 3D printing, Internet of Things and extended reality; and (2) external coercive and normative forces, internal resource and capability, business strategy, technology competency and management (BST), organizational culture and use intention (UI) of C4.0 technologies, collectively influence C4.0TeIm-CWHS. The findings confirm the pivotal roles of BST and UI as mediators fostering positive organizational behaviors related to C4.0TeIm-CWHS. Practical implications: Practically, it offers actionable insights for policymakers to optimize technology integration in construction firms, promoting industrial advancement while enhancing workforce well-being. Originality/value: The novel C4.0TeIm-CWHS framework contributes to the theoretical discourses on safety management within the C4.0 paradigm by offering insights into internal strategic deployment and compliance challenges in construction organizations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction 4.0; digital transformation; factors; health and safety; innovation; project management; technology management; well-being; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | paradigm, emerging technology, project management, planned behaviour, artificial intelligence, construction worker, implementation, interaction, internet, construction industry, construction 4.0, mediator, construction organization, institutional theory, transformation, questionnaire, well-being, integration, methodology, organizational culture, safety management, partial least square, 3D printing, resource-based view, health and safety, technology management, positive organizational behaviour, compliance, survey, construction firm, structural equation modelling, business strategy, drawing |
| Subjects: | health safety and environment, research methods, behavioral psychology, practitioner, innovation studies, manufacturing, organization, digital engineering, contractual arrangements, innovation and technology management, project management theory and practice, management, education and knowledge transfer, industry analysis, statistical analysis, occupational health and safety management, organizational analysis, sociology, dispute resolution, computing systems, data collection methods, mental health and wellbeing, business, artificial intelligence, technical documentation |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Procurement, Project Management, Health and Safety, 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