Technology Adoption Barriers in Construction: Behavioral, Operational, and Training Perspectives

Abstract

The construction industry globally faces significant barriers to technology adoption, leading to stagnated productivity and billions in lost potential annually. Despite the potential benefits of technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital twins, and additive manufacturing, adoption rates remain below 30% in many regions. These barriers can be categorized into behavioral, operational, and training perspectives. Behavioral barriers involve user attitudes and perceptions, operational barriers relate to integration challenges and costs, and training barriers stem from skill gaps and technological literacy deficits. This research proposes a Construction Technology Adoption Cube (CTAC) model, extending the work of Sepasgozar et al. (2016), and incorporates a Sensitive Analytical System (SAS), which integrates qualitative insights from NVivo with quantitative ranking using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study aims to identify and prioritize the primary barriers to technology adoption in construction, analyze how these barriers interact within the CTAC framework, and propose potential mitigation strategies. Based on a secondary analysis of 20 key references from 2010 to 2021, including empirical studies from construction, sustainability, and IT adoption, this paper highlights the complex interplay between these barriers. Key findings reveal that operational barriers, such as high costs and poor system integration, are most impactful in limiting technology adoption, especially in developing countries. The research employs mixed-methods, combining quantitative simulations and AHP-based sensitivity testing, to provide a comprehensive view of these barriers and offer actionable strategies for overcoming them. This work bridges theory and practice gaps, offering valuable insights for stakeholders in both developed and developing countries, where infrastructure demands are accelerating the need for technological advancement.