Sadeghi, J; Ahmadi, A and Phipps, R (2026) Internet of things in construction: Trends and adoption insights from a scientometric perspective. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(1), pp. 113-130. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the construction industry has garnered significant academic interest, with a notable increase in research over the past decade. This study conducts a scientometric review of 428 papers published between 2010 and 2024, aiming to identify key trends, highlight emerging themes, and offer directions for future research to avoid redundancy. Through bibliographic coupling and scientific network analysis, the review uncovers prominent co-occurring keywords and themes, such as the integration of IoT with artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud and edge computing, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Digital Twins. A major finding is that improving safety, particularly in worker health and underground construction, is the most frequently addressed objective. Other focal areas include post-occupancy analysis, site management, infrastructure development, life cycle management, and prefabrication. However, the research highlights significant gaps. While IoT and BIM integration are well-explored, their application to worker safety and underground construction remains limited. The combination of Digital Twins and IoT is also underutilized in design evaluation, prefabrication, and life cycle management. This review underscores the complementary roles of various technologies and calls for interdisciplinary collaboration to fully realize the potential of IoT in advancing safety and efficiency in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | artificial intelligence; blockchain; building information modelling; construction industry; digital twin; industry 4.0; internet of things; safety |
| Index terms: | coupling, efficiency, industry 4.0, building information modelling, network analysis, internet, underground construction, prefabrication, construction industry, artificial intelligence, blockchain, design evaluation, site management, infrastructure development, redundancy, life cycle management, digital twin, interdisciplinary collaboration, integration, computing |
| Subjects: | infrastructure engineering, building construction, digital engineering, design assessment, construction operations, performance management, management, geotechnical engineering, organizational analysis, information systems, systems engineering, industry analysis, research design and methodology, computing systems, value management, artificial intelligence, technology adoption, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Human Resources, Site Management, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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