Hamdan, Azreen Sharina (2025) Developing a tailored framework for digital transformation in UK small, micro and medium construction enterprises: Evidence from greater manchester. PhD thesis, University of Salford, UK.
Abstract
This thesis investigates digital transformation (DT) adoption among construction small and medium-sized enterprises (CSMEs) in Greater Manchester, with the aim of developing a tailored framework that reflects the size-specific challenges, enablers, and strategic needs of these enterprises. While DT has received considerable attention in large construction organisations, CSMEs remain underrepresented in both scholarly literature and practice, limiting their capacity to respond to economic volatility, labour shortages, and uncertainties. This digital exclusion has contributed to escalating insolvency rates, with one-third of CSMEs entering administration in the first quarter of 2023, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive transformation strategies.This study employs a sequential mixed-methods design grounded in the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework, Dynamic Capabilities (DC) and the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. It begins with a systematic literature review (SLR) to synthesise key determinants of DT adoption, followed by a quantitative survey of 307 CSMEs categorised into micro (0-9 employees, n=173), small (10-49, n=58), and medium (50-249, n=76) enterprises. Qualitative validation was conducted through a focus group with five key experts. Findings reveal significant variations in DT adoption across CSME sizes. Micro-enterprises report the lowest engagement with 84.5% using no digital tools, citing insufficient capital (100%) and poor digital skills (73%) as key barriers. Small enterprises demonstrate moderate adoption (47%), while medium enterprises exhibit the highest integration (78%), supported by strategic leadership and investment in advanced technologies. Six critical determinants also emerged, namely digital skills, digital technologies, digital leadership, organizational culture, perceived relative advantage, and government support.The developed framework addresses size-specific needs through targeted interventions. Micro enterprises require foundational digital literacy programs and cost-effective solutions, small enterprises benefit from scalable technologies with peer learning networks, and medium enterprises need strategic digital leadership alongside comprehensive transformation strategies. Through focus group session, experts validated and confirmed the framework's clarity and practical value, this research contributes by empirically identifying barriers and determinants of digital DT adoption in CSMEs, developing a novel tailored framework and extending established theories into CSMEs' contexts. Findings also provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and technology providers to create inclusive digital transformation initiatives addressing distinct size-specific needs. Future research should explore implementation strategies for each CSME category, investigating how size-specific interventions can be scaled across different regional and economic contexts to ensure sustainable digital transformation outcomes.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Elkadi, Hisham |
| Index terms: | government support, strategy, micro-enterprise, relative advantage, evidence, determinant, labour shortage, focus group, systematic literature review, organizational culture, small enterprise, program, digital technology, survey, resource-based view, large construction organization, integration, insolvency, implementation, variation, dynamic capability, transformation, validation |
| Subjects: | organizational analysis, economic analysis, research evaluation and metrics, computing systems, data collection methods, sociology, risk assessment, management, evaluation and assessment methods, software systems, economics, business development, contractual arrangements, liability law, government bodies, innovation studies, contractual condition, business, professional development, organization |
| Topics: | Information Management, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, Governance, Digital Applications, Contract Administration, Procurement, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Organizational Design, 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