Zhu, H; Hwang, B G; Tan, Y Z and Wei, F (2024) Building on digital twin: Overcoming barriers and unlocking success in the construction industry. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 150(10): 04024141, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Digital twins (DTs) link physical and virtual spaces, providing analytical and diagnostic value for built assets. Despite DT's potential benefits, its adoption in the construction industry is nascent, hindered by underexplored barriers and a lack of practical strategies. This study (1) identified barriers to DT adoption, (2) proposes strategies to spur DT adoption, and (3) prioritizes identified barriers and strategies and assesses the varying perceptions of organizations with different types and sectors on these factors. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review and content analysis, complemented by pilot interviews, to identify and categorize 25 barriers and 23 strategies. A survey questionnaire was distributed to industry professionals, and 91 valid responses were received for analysis. The survey and postsurvey interviews helped prioritize these barriers and strategies and assess different construction organizations' perceptions of DT adoption. Additionally, two case studies were conducted to gain deeper insights into DT's real-world applications, barriers, and strategies. This study enriches the knowledge base by identifying and assessing the barriers and strategies for DT adoption and provides construction practitioners with actionable guidance for adopting DT.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers and strategies; construction industry; digital transformation; digital twin; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | transformation, construction organization, case study, construction industry, literature review, strategy, content analysis, construction practitioner, survey, interview, knowledge base, digital twin, built asset, questionnaire |
| Subjects: | asset management, digital engineering, organization, professional development, management, industry analysis, information systems, data collection methods, business, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy |
| 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