Dauda, J A; Chavan, N N; Saka, A B; Ajayi, S O and Oyegoke, A S (2025) An appraisal of barriers to digitalisation of construction industry in developing countries: perspective from India. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(7), pp. 770-782. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Digitalisation in the construction sector promises numerous benefits, yet its widespread adoption in India faces impediments. This study aims to identify and analyse critical barriers hindering the adoption of digitalisation within the Indian construction sector. The study adopts a multi-phase research approach, involving a literature review to identify potential barriers. Subsequently, a questionnaire was administered to 162 professionals in the Indian construction industry. The survey reveals a willingness within the Indian construction sector to embrace digitalisation, citing benefits such as enhanced productivity and revolutionary impacts on construction processes. Larger organizations exhibit greater proactivity, while smaller businesses face challenges in resources and knowledge, leading to slower adoption rates. The study identifies five key themes of barriers, including financial/resource constraints, cultural/organisational constraints, regional disparities, data security/privacy concerns, and awareness/capacity-building constraints. The implication of the study is to unveil crucial barriers and provide insights for tailored interventions, aiding stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers in navigating the evolving digital landscape of the Indian construction industry. This study contributes to the exploration of perceptions of construction professionals specifically in India on why digitalisation is not fully embraced in the Indian construction sector.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; construction; digitalisation; exploratory factor analysis; India; questionnaire |
| Index terms: | appraisal, construction sector, construction process, exploration, resource constraint, privacy, questionnaire, literature review, face, survey, exploratory factor analysis, developing country, digitalization, India, disparity, construction industry, construction professional, productivity |
| Subjects: | social justice, building construction, professional ethics, factor and component analysis, Geography, development economics, digital technology, psychology, operations management, environmental resource management, industry analysis, statistical analysis, management, professional development, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, International Construction, Sustainability, Project Management, Geographical Context, Legal Issues, Ethics |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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