Critical barriers to the adoption of integrated digital delivery in the construction industry

Abstract

Integrated digital delivery (IDD) integrates digital technologies, data, and platforms to streamline work processes and connect all stakeholders involved in a project throughout the lifecycle. IDD provides significant value to stakeholders, but there is a slow uptake of the IDD in the construction industry. This study investigated the barriers to IDD adoption in the Hong Kong construction industry. Data was gathered using a questionnaire survey and analysed using descriptive statistical analysis, weighted correlation network analysis, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation. The results indicate that the five most critical barriers are rooted in relevant skill gaps, requirements for frequent model updates across the project lifecycle, higher investment requirements, interoperability of data from different software, and limited organizational budgets for IDD. The weighted network model showed that the most influential set of barriers are linked to stakeholder attitudes and the bespoke technical requirements of the IDD approach. Except for the legal dimension, the financial, organizational, technical, data, stakeholder, and industry group of barriers, each significantly impede IDD adoption in the construction industry. Thus, the study successfully explained why IDD adoption has been low in the construction industry and provides a fertile ground to develop interventions to promote wider adoption, where necessary.