Determinants of smart technology adoption in the construction phase of projects: a scoping study of the United Kingdom

The slow pace of adoption of smart technology in the construction industry poses a challenge to the industrial revolution. Within the United Kingdom (UK), there is limited understanding of the determinants to innovation in the construction phase of the project lifecycle. This has implications on industry performance. The current scoping study, fills this gap by identifying and assessing determinants to innovation in the construction phase of the project lifecycle. A methodology of unstructured, exploratory interviews followed by a structured survey of construction professionals in the UK was adopted. The study found that client demand heavily dictates the level of innovation and use of technology on a given project. However, industry structure consists of at least 99% small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), many of whom undertake small-scale operations for clients who have neither the budget nor motivation for driving innovation on a project. SMEs therefore gain little to no exposure to smart technological advancements and as a result they lack the skillset to confidently influence client decisions on innovation. However, large construction companies, such as those who tender for government projects, are making vast advancements in the research and development of smart construction technologies and their implementation in projects. Although limited by the sample size, the implications of the findings include inequality being a key barrier to innovation in the construction phase and addresses the industry skills shortage. Consequently, it is recommended that the UK Government, in conjunction with large construction companies provide financial incentives and training via bodies such as Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to support the upskilling of the workforce, including those employed by SMEs.