Influential safety technology adoption predictors in construction

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 2655-2681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuma Nnaji ◽  
John Gambatese ◽  
Ali Karakhan ◽  
Chinweike Eseonu
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Technology

Purpose Existing literature suggests that construction worker safety could be optimized using emerging technologies. However, the application of safety technologies in the construction industry is limited. One reason for the constrained adoption of safety technologies is the lack of empirical information for mitigating the risk of a failed adoption. The purpose of this paper is to fill the research gap through identifying key factors that predict successful adoption of safety technologies. Design/methodology/approach In total, 26 key technology adoption predictors were identified and classified using a combination of literature review and an expert panel. The level of influence for each identified safety technology adoption predictor was assessed and ranked using the Relative Importance Index. Analysis of variance was performed as well to assess the potential difference in perceived level of importance for the predictors when the study participants were clustered according to work experience and company size. Findings Statistical analysis indicates that 12 out of the 26 predictors identified are highly influential regarding technology adoption decision-making in construction. Technology reliability, effectiveness and durability were ranked as the most influential predictors. The participants who work for small companies and who had less than ten years of experience rated individual- and technology-related predictors significantly lower than the experienced participants working for medium and large companies. Practical implications The present study provides construction researchers and practitioners with valuable information regarding safety technology predictors and their magnitude, both of which are essential elements of a successful safety technology adoption process. Improved technology adoption can enhance workplace safety and minimize worker injuries, providing substantial benefits to the construction industry. Originality/value This study contributes to technology adoption knowledge by identifying and quantifying the influential predictors of safety technologies in relation to different organizational contexts. The study informs the need to develop an integrated conceptual model for safety technology adoption.

Conceptualising information and equipment technology adoption in construction

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samad M. E. Sepasgozar ◽  
Martin Loosemore ◽  
Steven R. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a critical review of research in information and equipment technology adoption in the construction industry. The study also aims to formulate a conceptual framework of the different stages in the adoption process identify gaps in the existing literature and to provide a holistic picture of contemporary research in technology adoption in construction research literature. Design/methodology/approach – A generic framework is initially proposed containing the fundamental concepts of “pre-adoption”, “adoption” and “post-adoption”. The review separates the literature according to three key perspectives: “socio-economic”; “managerial”; and “psychological”. The applicability of the existing approaches to the construction context is discussed, and then a new conceptual framework for construction is developed. Findings – Significant gaps in the understanding of construction technology adoption are identified that provide an interesting agenda for future research. A Construction Technology Adoption Framework is presented, which draws together all of sub-processes involved in technology adoption. This framework covers key activities of both the vendor and the customer. Research limitations/implications – The study has been restricted to information technologies and construction equipment technology. Other construction technologies, such as formwork systems, have not been examined. Practical implications – The new framework provides a direction for research into the technology adoption process including key sub-processes and potential research areas. The framework also assists vendors to influence customers’ decision-making processes, and guides new customers in setting up their own decision procedures. Originality/value – This paper departs from earlier research by focusing on information and equipment technology adoption rather than innovation adoption in general. In addition, this paper considers both sides of the adoption equation (vendor and customer), which is in contrast to previous binary studies which considered one side or the other. It delineates the boundaries of different concepts such as diffusion, adoption, acceptance and implementation, which have been interchangeably used in previous studies. This paper introduces the concept of dissemination to construction, which has previously been investigated in other industries.

Influence of knowledge-based safety culture in the construction industry: a stakeholder's perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak MD ◽  
Gangadhar Mahesh
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Key Stakeholders

PurposeSafety in construction projects is essential and requires more attention towards minimizing the accident rate. Problems concerning awareness of safety risks, procedures and practices still exist in the industry, which indicate a shortfall in diffusion of safety-related knowledge in construction industry. Also, there is dearth of studies on knowledge management strategies to prevent reoccurrence of accidents and thereby improve safety culture in construction industry. This study attempts to unveil aspects of knowledge management that are ignored in considering safety culture and discern the differences in the perception of key stakeholders of construction industry. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify and measure knowledge-based safety culture elements.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the focus is on the application of a reliable, valid and sensitive knowledge-based safety culture assessment tool on key stakeholders operational in construction industry. Research method adopted is a questionnaire-based survey to seek responses from industry professionals. A total of 199 responses were obtained from 106 different companies operational in Indian construction industry. Statistical analyses including ranking analysis, t-test, correlation analysis, and ANOVA test are utilized for comparing and identifying the differences in view of stakeholder's perceptions concerning workplace safety.FindingsThis study helps to identify and rank critical knowledge-based safety culture elements from the perspective of key stakeholders of construction industry. This contributes in identifying the most critical and neglected variables among the key stakeholders regarding aspects of safety culture. Also, the study shows the importance of knowledge dimension in developing overall safety culture in construction industry.Originality/valueResults of this study offer valuable insight in enabling key stakeholders of construction industry to examine and enhance their safety performance. The implications of this study contribute new knowledge in assessing conditions that will improve worker safety in the construction industry. The paper should be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the area of occupational health and safety management.

An investigation of modern building equipment technology adoption in the Australian construction industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1075-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samad M.E. Sepasgozar ◽  
Steven Davis ◽  
Martin Loosemore ◽  
Leonhard Bernold
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Innovation Diffusion ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Modern Equipment ◽  
Three Stages

Purpose Research into the construction industry’s adoption of modern equipment technologies, such as remote-controlled trucks, excavators and drones, has been neglected in comparison to the significant body of research into the adoption of information technology in construction. Construction research has also neglected to adequately consider the important role of vendors in the innovation diffusion process, focussing mostly on the role of the customer. Set within the context of Australia’s construction industry, the purpose of this paper is to address these gaps in knowledge by exploring the role of customers and vendors in the diffusion of modern equipment technologies into the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Using contemporary models of innovation diffusion which move beyond the simple dualistic problem of whether innovation is supply-pushed or demand-pulled, 19 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with customers and vendors involved in two major modern equipment technology trade exhibitions in Australia. This was followed by the collection of documentary data in the form of photos, directory books, marketing material, catalogues, websites and booth and exhibition layouts to validate the proposed model and provide insights into vendor marketing strategies. These data were analysed using both content analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Findings According to the PCA and content analysis, vendor’s engagement in the adoption of modern equipment technologies falls into three stages that correspond to three stages in the customer’s adoption process. In the first stage, customers identify possible solutions and recognise new technologies following a previous recognition of a need. Vendors provide facilities for attracting potential customers and letting customers know that their technology exists and can help solve the customer’s problem. The second stage involves customers gaining knowledge about the details of the new technology, and vendors focusing on detailed knowledge transfer through written materials and demonstrations of the functionality of the new technology. In the third stage, customers have specific questions that they want answered to assist them in comparing different vendors and solutions. By this stage, vendors have built a close relationship with the customer and in contrast to earlier stages engage in two-way communication to help the customer’s decision process by addressing specific technical and support-related questions. Originality/value The originality and value of this research is in addressing the lack of research in modern equipment technology adoption for building construction and the lack of data on the role of vendors in the process by developing a new empirical framework which describes the stages in the process and the ways that customers and vendors interact at each stage. The results indicate that conceptually, as the construction industry becomes more industrialised, current models of innovation adoption will need to develop to reflect this growing technological complexity and recognise that vendors and customers engage differently in the adoption process, according to the type of technology they wish to adopt.

Employers’ perception of employability skills among built-environment graduates

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 847-864
Author(s):  
John Aliu ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Response Rate Data

Purpose Universities have become training centres or “academic hubs” where skilled labour for societal and global consumptions are continuously produced. More so, the quality of teaching (pedagogy) provided by universities is essential in enhancing the skills, expertise and competencies of students who are required to meet the needs of the construction industry after graduation. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess employers’ level of satisfaction with the employability skills of built-environment graduates in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was adopted for this study with close-ended questionnaires administered to respondents drawn from professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. Out of 150 questionnaires disseminated, 131 were completed and 126 were usable, signifying an 87% response rate. Data from this research were analysed using descriptive and exploratory factor analysis. Findings Employers are seemingly satisfied with the sound academic record of built-environment graduates. They also affirmed their contentment with graduates’ willingness to learn and the way they achieve tasks with positive results. However, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the graduates’ prior work experience, communication skills and technical competencies in handling industry tasks effectively. Research limitations/implications Data was collected from construction professions across two cities – Abuja and Lagos. Because of the limited budget allocated for this study, other regions were not considered. Because of time and financial implications, it was extremely impossible to visit all 36 states. It is, therefore, impossible to generalise the results of this research to the larger population. In generalising the results on a larger scale, the study would have to factor in a more diverse sample to ensure it is more representative. A more diverse sample may mitigate any possible bias that may arise from a self-administered questionnaire. Practical implications From the survey results obtained from the respondents, it was observed that general knowledge about local and global trends, management skills, teamwork skills, work experience, communication skills, critical thinking skills, numeracy skills and civic responsibility are among the major non-academic skills lacking among built-environment graduates. This places significant pressures on universities in Nigeria to revisit and revamp its curricula in developing these skills among students who require them to thrive in the construction industry. Originality/value Although the subject of employability has been adequately discussed across various fields (accountancy, psychology, management, business, marketing, etc.), there exist limited research studies in the built-environment context, a gap, which this study aims to fill. This study also provides several approaches through which employability skills can be developed.

scholarly journals Construction Technology Adoption Cube: An Investigation on Process, Factors, Barriers, Drivers, and Decision Makers using NVivo and AHP Analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samad Sepasgozar ◽  
Steven Davis
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Tunnel Boring Machine ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Process Factors ◽  
Project Objectives

Due to the complexity, high-risk, and conservative character of construction companies, advanced digital technologies do not become widely adopted in the short term, while vendors make determined efforts to overcome this and disseminate their technologies. This paper presents the methods of an investigation addressing the extremely complex issues related to the current practices of digital technology adoption in construction. It discusses how construction companies follow a specific logical process linked to need, project objectives, characteristics of the adopting organization, and the characteristics of the new technology to be adopted. The study aims to demonstrate a novel method of data collection and analysis including data and methodological triangulation techniques including the use of NVivo and AHP to explore how companies make the decision to uptake a new technology (e.g. advanced crane, tunnel boring machine or drones) by focusing on customer and vendor activities, their interactions, contributing factors, and people involved in the process. The major original contribution of this paper is to develop an innovative methodological Cube for investigating the Construction Technology Adoption Process (CTAP) covering technology adoption, acceptance, diffusion and implementation concepts. CTAP is a framework that delineates the phases of the process that customer organizations use when deciding to adopt a new digital technology and the parallel vendor activities. The significance of these contributions is that they enable vendors to understand how to match their strategies with customer expectations in each phase of the CTAP. It also provides a benchmark for new construction companies to use the current best practice of decision making. Future research is warranted to more clearly delineate any differences with developing nations or related industries such as mining and property management.

Analysis of BIM functionalities diffusion in the construction industry: the case of the MENA region

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette El Hajj ◽  
Germán Martínez Montes ◽  
Dima Jawad
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Diffusion Theory ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aec Industry

PurposeThis paper researches the diffusion patterns of various BIM functionalities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe study grounds on the innovation diffusion theory proposition that both the internal and external factors drive the widespread adoption of innovative trends. The study empirically analyzes the diffusion patterns of BIM by employing and comparing three mathematical influence models: internal, external and mixed models.FindingsThe results of the questionnaires point out that the mixed model as having the highest explanatory power and shows that the internal influence factors outperform the external factors in affecting the diffusion of BIM functionalities in the MENA Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper can be of significant value for academic researchers as well as BIM business developers who are interested in emerging markets via providing an enhanced understanding of the adoption process of different BIM functionalities as well as a theoretical basis for explaining the diffusion patterns of information technology innovations in the AEC industry.Originality/valueThis study is among the first applications of the influence models to examine the adoption of BIM functionalities in the AEC industry and the very first across the MENA region.

Modeling of technology adoption in Botswana

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheddi Kiravu ◽  
Moses T. Oladiran ◽  
Kamen Yanev
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Adaptive Learning ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Preferential Attachment ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
Adaptive Networks ◽  
Adaptive Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complex Adaptive

Purpose – The conceptualisation of technology adoption has largely been based on the Bass or some Bass-derived model – notably, the logistic model. Logistic-type models offer limited insights regarding the adoption process dynamics or the utility value of their results. The purpose of this paper is to outline an alternative technology adoption framework based on complex adaptive networks. Design/methodology/approach – An agent-based methodological approach is proposed. In it the actors, factors, goals, and adaptive learning influences driving solar energy technology adoption (SETA) process are first substantiated by empirical evidence gathered using field questionnaires and then incorporated in the simulation of a dynamic complex adaptive network of SETA. The complex adaptive network model is based on simple heuristic rules applied using a modified preferential attachment scheme within a NetLogo simulation environment. Findings – The interim results suggest an emergent network where prominent hub “driver” agents underlining the robustness of the model are statistically discernible. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited to solar photovoltaic and solar water heating technology adoption in Botswana households; however, its results are far-reaching. Practical implications – These results can be related to sustainable energy policy design. There, targeted incentive mechanisms can be formulated against the backdrop of the identified environmental factors and actors; the aim being to accelerate and cascade SETA. Social implications – The results could also be cascaded to other sectors and other non-solar technologies, thus providing a general alternative framework for enabling the widespread adoption of technologies. Originality/value – This research therefore represents a novel way of utilizing the new science of networks to accelerate SETA.

Digital technology utilisation decisions for facilitating the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samad M.E. Sepasgozar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adoption Decision ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Multi Stage

Purpose Emerging Construction Industry 4.0 technologies raise serious questions for construction companies when deciding whether to adopt or reject emerging technologies. Vendors seek to understand what factors are involved in how construction companies make these decisions and how they might vary across different companies. This paper aims to present a systematic, technology adoption decision-making framework for the construction industry which includes the key steps required for the final decision being made by companies up to the commencement of the operation of the technology. Design/methodology/approach A total of 123 experienced practitioners were interviewed to identify a broad range of tasks relevant to decision-making. Participants known as customers or vendors were chosen to validate the findings of each group by using data triangulation methods. A systematic thematic analysis method was applied in the NVivo environment to analyse the data. Findings This study identifies the active role of vendors who need to understand how their customers arrive at decisions to increase the rate of technology adoption. This paper also provides insights to new companies and late adopters (reported greater than 50%) about how others arrived at their decisions. Originality/value Unlike other technology adoption models, this paper investigates vendors’ corresponding interactions during the decision-making process. This paper also goes beyond previous studies, which focussed on the individual customer’s intention to use a specific technology at a single-stage by developing a multi-stage framework to enable understanding the details of the decision process at the organisational level.

Barriers to employment for refugees seeking work in the Australian construction industry: an exploratory study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Loosemore ◽  
Suhair Z. Alkilani ◽  
Ahmed W.A. Hammad
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Employment Agency ◽  
Barriers To Employment

PurposeIn Australia, as in many other countries, refugees are over-represented in the ranks of the unemployed, under-employed and precariously employed and often become frustrated in their attempts to secure work. Despite the construction industry being a major potential source of employment for refugees, there has been a surprising lack of research into their experiences of securing work in the industry. Addressing this gap and also the general lack of voice for refugees in construction research, the aim of this paper is to explore the barriers refugees face in securing employment in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports a survey of refugees who have worked or attempted to seek work in the Australian construction industry.FindingsResults show that the main barriers to securing employment in construction are: lack of local work experience; employer discrimination; employer failure to recognise previous qualifications, skills and experience and employers not understanding the challenges they face. Government employment agencies and systems are also perceived to be of limited value and overly complex, in contrast to the activities of not-for-profit support agencies.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the research is limited to Australia, the findings contribute an important and missing refugee dimension to the emerging body of research on construction social procurement. They also contribute unique sector-specific insights into the broader debate about refugee resettlement and employment. Further research is needed in other national contexts.Practical implicationsRecommendations are made to address the barriers to employment identified including: initiatives to provide refugees with work experience in the industry; education to break-down negative stereotypes of refugees among employers; greater support for not-for-profits supporting refugees and reform of government and employment agency systems and procedures.Social implicationsBy enhancing understanding of the barriers to employment for refugees in construction and proposing solutions to reduce those barriers, this research contributes new insights into a growing global challenge of how we better integrate growing numbers of refugees into harmonious and prosperous societies.Originality/valueThe findings are important in facilitating the smoother integration of refugees into society. Beyond the moral imperative, there are significant social, cultural and economic benefits which successful refugee integration brings to host countries and industries like construction which in many countries are now being required to employ refugees in their workforce as a condition of public sector contracts.

The use and abuse of safety indicators in construction

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1188-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Oswald ◽  
Rita Peihua Zhang ◽  
Helen Lingard ◽  
Payam Pirzadeh ◽  
Tiendung Le
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Safety Climate ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a critical review of the use of safety performance indicators in the construction industry. The authors consider the strengths, limitations and managerial consequences associated with commonly used indicators. Design/methodology/approach The authors combine two separate data sets in this critical review. These include 32 semi-structured interviews with construction industry representatives involved in the collection and reporting of safety indicators, as well as a multi-level safety climate survey that was conducted at 12 construction sites across Australia. Findings The analysis provides new evidence that, in their current use, commonly used H&S indicators are subject to manipulation and misinterpretation. Their usefulness as tools to support safety management activities in construction projects and organisations needs to be understood in the context of their limitations. In particular, safety indicators do not reflect the full set of factors that affect workplace safety and there will always be disagreement about what should be counted and how. Originality/value As a result of the substantial shortcomings of safety indicators, great care needs to be taken when using them to determine or evaluate organisational safety policy and practices.

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