Barriers to the adoption of digital technologies for sustainable construction in a developing economy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Existing studies have described the construction sectors in developing countries as lagging in the implementation of digital technologies (DTs) and still have some way to go to achieve digital transformation. The study was therefore construed to explore the barriers affecting the adoption of DTs for construction sustainability in Nigeria. A scoping literature review was conducted through which 23 barriers to the adoption of DTs were identified, which helped in the formulation of a questionnaire survey. Data was obtained from construction professionals including architects, builders, engineers, and quantity surveyors. Retrieved data were analyzed using several statistical tools such as percentages, frequencies, mean item scores, and exploratory factor analyses. Factor analysis revealed five clusters that are categorized as organizational, management, technical, regulatory, and economic. This study has the potential to guide researchers and industry practitioners on the need to develop an awareness of the need for innovation to foster the efficiency and productivity of construction projects. The evaluation of the key barriers facing the adoption of DTs would be beneficial to construction organizations, professional bodies, and the government with the view of achieving digital transformation of the sector. A major contribution of this study to the body of knowledge is that it describes how developing economies such as Nigeria where the adoption of DTs is slow can mitigate the identified barriers to achieving digital transformation. Thus, the findings of this study can serve as a basis for construction organizations in Nigeria and similar countries seeking the digital transformation of their activities.