Factors influencing the decision to adopt Smart Building Technology (SBT) in developing countries

Abstract

The decision-making towards the adoption of Smart Building Technologies (SBTs) is not sufficiently informed by pertinent expertise in developing countries such as Ghana, in terms of energy-efficient building design methods and associated technologies. This study aims to assess the decision level on adopting SBTs and identify the factors that influence pertinent decision-making in developing countries. A questionnaire survey was adopted to collect data from 227 respondents, including project managers and construction design teams. Descriptive analytical tools and a one sample t-test were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the decision level to adopt SBTs is moderately high in the Ghanaian construction industry. The significant factors influencing the decision to adopt SBTs are “Instrumentation and Control”, “Connectivity”, “Interoperability”, “Data Management and Analytics”, “Privacy and Security”, “IT Professional Support”, “Top Management Support”, “Viable Funding Strategy”, “Stakeholders' Computer Self-Efficacy”, “Stakeholders' Engagement and Participation” and “Participation and Collaboration.” Practically, the result serves as a valuable reference for assisting policymakers and practitioners in the construction industry, especially project managers and construction design teams, towards decision-making on smart buildings. The study probed the multifaceted nature of the construction industry to assess and identify the significant factors influencing the decision to adopt SBTs in the construction industry of developing countries.