The Technology Adoption Propensity of Professionals and Companies in the Construction Industry
Date
2024-12
Authors
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Publisher
Stellenbosch University
Abstract
The construction industry is a strategically vital sector, but it has many concerns. Notably, some of these concerns are related to its low technology adoption. Technology adoption propensity influences technology adoption behaviour. The construction industry’s technology adoption propensity (i.e., its willingness to adopt new technologies) is therefore of key importance to its future success. This dissertation aims to quantify the technology adoption propensity of professionals and companies in the construction industry. It uses diffusion research to investigate the construction industry’s “resistance to change.” The diffusion of innovations theory, developed by E.M. Rogers in 1962, is selected as its foundational theory. The research design of this dissertation is characterised by a mixed-methods methodology using both positivist and interpretivist philosophies. The collected data are used to evaluate propositions related to its foundational theory. Validation of the findings is undertaken throughout the dissertation. This dissertation includes an examination of existing relevant international and South African literature to validate its original contributions, a review of two selected case studies, and a review of some influential books. In addition, it develops the Simple adopter categories through modification of the standardised adopter categories as published by E.M. Rogers in 1958. The dissertation then proceeds with the development, execution, and analysis of a technology adoption propensity industry survey. This is done via a self-reported questionnaire to gather primary data from registered and candidate professionals in the South African built environment. Despite being limited to South Africa, the survey results are shown to have international applicability due to the shared challenges experienced by the South African construction industry and its international counterparts. The industry survey results classify construction industry professionals as early majority technology adopters who tend to adopt new technologies slightly faster than the average person. Construction industry companies are shown to be balanced technology adopters, positioning between the early majority adopter and late majority adopter categories. They tend to adopt technology products at a rate as expected/predicted by the diffusion of innovations theory. In addition, this dissertation develops four possible future technology adoption propensity scenarios for the construction industry using a standardised scenario planning method. Each of the scenarios are discussed, before being comparatively evaluated to identify the best- and worst-case scenarios. Such scenarios have not been developed before. This dissertation finds that professionals and companies in the construction industry are not slow to adopt new technologies. In addition, the diffusion of innovations theory and the developed Simple adopter categories are found to be appropriate for achieving the aim and objectives of this study. Additional research is recommended to validate the effectiveness of the Simple adopter categories for conducting diffusion research in other industries. Lastly, the need to accelerate the technology adoption propensity of companies in the construction industry is identified. This dissertation then develops actionable guidance to address some of the industry’s many concerns. Separate guidelines are developed for companies, technology developers, opinion leaders, and technology champions. These guidelines are not tested, and validation of their effectiveness is recommended for further research.