Katebi, A.; Mohammadhosseini, A. and Keshtkar Ghalati, A. (2026) The covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the acceptance model of precast concrete components in building construction. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, pp. 1-27. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced industries worldwide, including the construction sector. This study investigates how the pandemic moderates key factors affecting the adoption of precast concrete components (PCC) in the construction industry, focusing on the perceptions and attitudes of civil engineers. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative approach was employed, gathering data from civil engineers actively involved in construction projects. The data were collected at two different time points – before and after the pandemic. Structural Equation Modeling using Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was applied to examine the relationships among the variables and assess the moderating role of Covid-19. Findings – The results revealed that perceived usefulness (PU) represented the largest standardized path coefficient in the model on the intention to adopt PCC. Moreover, Covid-19 acted as a significant moderator in the relationship between perceived risk and cost with PU, as well as between cost and compatibility with adoption intention. The pandemic also moderated the effect of government support on perceived ease of use. Research limitations/implications – These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders and construction managers to better understand shifts in technology adoption behavior during health crises. The outcomes can inform the development of strategies to accelerate the use of precast technologies and support sustainable construction practices. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by integrating Covid-19 as a moderating factor into the technology acceptance model for PCC, highlighting how crises can reshape technology adoption dynamics in the construction sector.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cost; covid-19; perceived risk; precast concrete components; technology acceptance model |
| Index terms: | precast concrete, sustainable construction practice, strategy, perceived ease of use, pandemic, dynamics, construction sector, civil engineer, technology acceptance model, COVID-19, methodology, building construction, construction industry, perceived usefulness, technology adoption, government support, partial least square, construction manager, construction project, structural equation modelling |
| Subjects: | systems engineering, industry analysis, research methods, management, profession, production management, statistical analysis, behavioral psychology, building materials, acoustic properties, innovation and technology management, sustainable construction, government bodies, health risk and incident analysis, building construction |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Sustainability, Project Management, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Governance, Roles and Professions |
| 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