Critical barriers to augmented reality technology adoption in developing countries: a case study of Nigeria

Abstract

PurposeThe paper aims to identify the critical barriers to augmented reality technology (ART) in the Nigerian construction industry to allow wider adoption. The objectives are to reveal those hindrances to the wider usage of ART so that the obstacles can be tackled and overcome.Design/methodology/approachA survey of construction professionals involved in the built environment was sent well-structured questionnaires in the study area. The professionals involved are quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, project managers and builders. Convenience sampling techniques were used in selecting those professionals. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the retrieved data.FindingsThe most ranked obstacles in adopting augmented realities are lack of technological awareness, difficulty in ease of ART system set up, the unwillingness of government and private bodies to invest in augmented reality research, lack of repository database, lack of portability for ART equipment system. The findings also revealed the difference in the opinions of professionals among the variables. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the opinions of respondents regarding 6 of the identified 15 variables.Originality/valueThe study gives deep insight into possible hindrances in the use of emerging technologies such as ART in construction. This study also enumerated some ways how these challenges can be tackled and solved in the Nigerian construction industry for better adoption and performance.