Ebiloma, D. O.; Aigbavboa, C. O. and Anumba, C. (2026) Key drivers of digital twin maintenance management for healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(3), pp. 1871-1890. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – The healthcare sector in developing countries needs a more vigorous technological process to support maintenance activities. The ease of adopting the digital twin (DT) technology will depend on stakeholders' exposure to the advantages. Therefore, this study aims to determine the key drivers of digital twin maintenance management (DTMM) for healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The post-positivist philosophical perspective adopted in this study informed a mixed-method research approach using a Delphi study and a questionnaire survey. In total, 11 digital technology experts domiciled in building maintenance participated in the Delphi study, and 442 maintenance personnel, top management staff and heads of departments in Nigerian hospitals formulated the respondents for the questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the structural equation modelling technique were used for data analysis. Findings – The experts' responses indicated that the 17 listed variables had a very high impact on determining the DTMM of healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Consequently, the CFA showed that all parameter estimates for the derived ten indicator variables were statistically significant, and the robust fit indexes all met the cut-off index criteria. The measurement model for the DTMM drivers adequately matched the sample data. The foremost drivers are increased reliability of building components, maintenance cost reduction due to prediction before failures and smart management of site activities. Practical implications – The study enlightens the authorities and management of healthcare organisations on the benefits of DT technology in maintaining their facilities. It provides the motivation and guidance for decision-making, training of stakeholders and the full implementation of DT technology in the management of hospital facilities. Originality/value – The innovativeness and emergence of DT technology, especially within the Nigerian healthcare sector, portend the need to determine the benefits of adopting DT in managing constructed facilities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | digital twin; drivers; facilities; healthcare sector; hospital buildings; maintenance |
| Index terms: | maintenance cost, estimate, implementation, statistics, hospital facility, Nigeria, Delphi method, maintenance management, building component, emergence, digital technology, digital twin, exposure, questionnaire, methodology, top management, decision-making, survey, confirmatory factor analysis, motivation, structural equation modelling, building maintenance, data analysis, developing country, personnel |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, financial and cost management, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, computing systems, decision analysis, systems engineering, statistical analysis, management, financial management, public and environmental health, psychology, contractual arrangements, construction type, digital engineering, architectural elements, maintenance engineering, research methods, Geography, development economics |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Procurement, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Human Resources, International Construction, Organizational Design, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Construction Technology |
| 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