Factors Affecting the Implementation of the Digital Twins in the Construction Industry: An Interpretive Structural Modelling Analysis

Abstract

With the extensive use of digital technologies, the modern construction industry has made progress in improving productivity and safety. Despite this, construction productivity remains among the lowest in the industry. With the development of Industrial Revolution 4.0, the construction industry has also benefited from it, forming the idea behind Construction 4.0, which is founded on: the digitization of the construction sector and the industrialization of the construction procedure. The current use of digital twins in the construction industry is considered among the most successful and influential ways to achieve Construction 4.0, optimize construction links, and improve coordination among stakeholders. Many factors are impacting the construction industry's adoption of digital twins. Previous studies have failed to propose a practical model to facilitate the implementation of digital twins in the construction industry. This study fills this gap. First, this study conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) based on Web of Science and Scopus databases to identify negative and positive factors. SLR identifies four aspects of factors, including technical factors, stakeholder factors, external factors, and economic factors. A conceptual model is then proposed using an interpretive structural modeling analysis approach. The model is used to describe the interaction of these factors in digital twins implementation, and finally, recommendations are made to mitigate the negative factors based on the model. This conceptual model helps guide digital twin implementation in the construction industry and helps build a knowledge system of digital technology. The findings will support practitioners in the construction industry using or planning to use digital twins.