Bello, A O; Olanrewaju, O I; Gbenga, P O; Khan, A A and Isa, R B (2025) Exploring the barriers to digital twin adoption in the Nigerian construction industry: A structural equation modelling approach. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(5), pp. 1541-1572. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose – The adoption of emerging technologies is critical to enhance construction industry performance. Previous studies have shown that the Nigerian construction industry (NCI) is slow to adopt digital technologies and faces performance issues. As a result, this study aims to investigate and model the barriers to adopting digital twin (DT) technology in the NCI with the view to provide stakeholders with adequate information on the multifaceted nature of DT barriers and provide strategies to improve DT adoption. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a qualitative and quantitative approach to achieve the overall aim of the study. The qualitative approach included a scoping review used to identify barriers to DT adoption from the literature. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was administered to 246 construction professionals in the NCI. This was followed by critical analysis using mean ranking and standard deviation, Kruskal–Wallis, factor analysis and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings – The exploratory factor analysis revealed four categories of barriers to DT adoption in the NCI: "technological and investment", "data management and government", "project and human resources" and "digital transformation". The PLS-SEM results revealed the causal relationships of four barriers categories and their concomitant effects on DT adoption in the NCI. The top three barrier categories that require critical attention in order of significance are: technological and investment (ß = 0.655), data management and government (ß = 0.313) and project and human resources (ß = 0.194). Digital transformation (ß = −0.046) has the least significance. Overall, all the barriers' categories were accepted at a significance level of p < 0.05. Practical implications – The practical implications include guiding policymakers and practitioners in making informed decisions to address the identified barriers to DT adoption in the NCI. The findings may also be applicable to other developing countries in Africa and beyond. By implementing effective policies and stakeholder guidelines, the NCI can advance technologically and enhance its competitiveness to execute advanced construction projects. Originality/value – This research contributes to the construction industry by shedding light on the barriers to DT adoption and their intricate interconnections within the NCI context. It is also the first study in NCI context to present the level of DT awareness and explore the concomitant effects of the barriers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; digital construction; digital twin; Nigerian construction industry; technological advancement; technology adoption |
| Index terms: | competitiveness, factor analysis, construction professional, emerging technology, technology adoption, construction industry, Africa, digital construction, construction industry performance, transformation, qualitative approach, data management, deviation, practitioner, Likert scale, questionnaire, methodology, construction project, human resource, partial least square, digital technology, digital twin, exploratory factor analysis, developing country, strategy, structural equation modelling, face |
| Subjects: | regions and continents, financial and cost management, data collection methods, business, computing systems, data management, industry analysis, statistical analysis, information systems, management, professional development, psychology, innovation and technology management, digital engineering, practitioner, market analysis, research methods, production management, development economics |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Human Resources, International Construction, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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