Identifying Impediments to Digital Technology Adoption in Construction Projects: A Mixed Methods Study

Volume 11, Issue 2, 2026

International Journal of Commerce and Management Studies, ISSN 2456-3684

Paper Title

Author Name and Affiliation

Viswanatham Jnana Lekha

Management Student, Nicmar University of Construction Studies, Email: Jnanalekha123@gmail.com

Abstract

Digital transformation is increasingly reshaping the global construction industry through technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), cloud collaboration systems, automation tools, Internet of Things (IoT), and Construction 4.0 applications. However, the Indian construction industry continues to experience slow and fragmented adoption of digital technologies due to multiple organizational, financial, technological, and policy-related challenges. The present study aims to identify and analyze the major impediments affecting digital technology adoption in Indian construction projects using a mixed methods research approach. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey administered to construction professionals across India, resulting in 268 valid responses for analysis. Qualitative insights were additionally obtained through semi-structured interviews with industry experts and analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS and AMOS. Reliability analysis indicated strong internal consistency with an overall Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.912. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) produced a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of 0.891 and extracted four major dimensions namely Financial Barriers, Human Resource Barriers, Organizational Barriers, and Policy Barriers, collectively explaining 54.16% of the total variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) demonstrated satisfactory model fit indices including CFI = 0.942, GFI = 0.921, and RMSEA = 0.061. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results revealed that Financial Barriers exerted the strongest negative influence on digital technology adoption (β = −0.421), followed by Human Resource Barriers (β = −0.386), Organizational Barriers (β = −0.344), and Policy Barriers (β = −0.297). The Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis further identified high implementation cost, lack of skilled professionals, and resistance to organizational change as the most critical impediments affecting adoption. The qualitative findings supported the quantitative results by highlighting recurring themes related to financial constraints, skill deficiency, organizational resistance, and policy limitations. The study contributes to existing literature by providing a comprehensive mixed methods investigation of digital technology adoption barriers within the Indian construction context and offers practical implications for policymakers, construction organizations, educational institutions, and technology providers to accelerate digital transformation in the construction industry.

Keywords

Digital Technology Adoption, Construction 4.0, Building Information Modelling, Indian Construction Industry, Structural Equation Modeling, Mixed Methods Research, Digital Transformation, Technology Adoption Barriers

References

Alaloul, W. S., Liew, M. S., Zawawi, N. A. W. A., & Mohammed, B. S. (2018). Industry revolution IR 4.0: Future opportunities and challenges in construction industry. MATEC Web of Conferences, 203, 02010. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201820302010
Arif, M., Egbu, C., Haleem, A., Kulonda, D., & Khalfan, M. (2009). State of green construction in India: Drivers and challenges. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 7(2), 223–234. https://doi.org/10.1108/17260530910975024
Azhar, S. (2011). Building Information Modeling (BIM): Trends, benefits, risks, and challenges for the AEC industry. Leadership and Management in Engineering, 11(3), 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LM.1943-5630.0000127
Becerik-Gerber, B., Gerber, D. J., & Ku, K. (2011). The pace of technological innovation in architecture, engineering, and construction education. ITcon, 16, 411–432.
Bryde, D., Broquetas, M., & Volm, J. M. (2013). The project benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM). International Journal of Project Management, 31(7), 971–980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2012.12.001
Chauhan, K., & Jha, K. N. (2015). Identifying and evaluating key determinants of project success from the stakeholders’ perspectives in Indian construction projects. International Journal of Construction Management, 15(4), 293–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2015.1067319
Chien, K. F., Wu, Z. H., & Huang, S. C. (2014). Identifying and assessing critical risk factors for BIM projects. Automation in Construction, 45, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.04.012
Das, M., & Bhattacharya, S. (2021). Digital transformation in Indian construction industry: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Construction Management, 21(10), 1025–1037. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1703085
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Dossick, C. S., & Neff, G. (2010). Organizational divisions in BIM-enabled commercial construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(4), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000109
Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2011). BIM handbook: A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Enegbuma, W. I., Ali, K. N., & Aliagha, G. U. (2014). BIM: Interdisciplinary collaborative platform in Malaysian construction industry. The Scientific World Journal, 2014, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/745835
Gu, N., & London, K. (2010). Understanding and facilitating BIM adoption in the AEC industry. Automation in Construction, 19(8), 988–999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.09.002
Harty, C. (2005). Innovation in construction: A sociology of technology approach. Building Research & Information, 33(6), 512–522. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210500288605
Hedau, A. (2016). IPO Pricing—Evidence from Indian Capital Market. Asian Journal of Management Research, 7(2), 104-114.
Hedau, A. (2018). A Review of Canons of Taxation: India’s Perspective. Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 8(2), 41-53. https://doi.org/5958/2249-7315.2018.00024.2
Hedau, A. (2018). Long Run Performance of IPO-Empirical Evidence from Indian Capital Market. Asian Journal of Management, 9(1), 723. https://doi.org/10.5958/2321-5763.2018.00112.9
Hedau, A. (2020). TAXATION OF FAMILY INCOME UNDER INDIAN TAXATION LAWS A NEW PERSPECTIVE. International Journal of Advanced Research, 8(12), 975–978. https://doi.org/10.21474/ijar01/12244
Hedau, A. (2025). Socioeconomic Challenges of Digital Banking Adoption: The Impact of Perceived Usefulness, Ease of Use, and Self-Efficacy. SocioEconomic Challenges, 9(3), 133-146. https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.9(3).133-146.2025
Hedau, A., & Joshi, V. K. (2015). Under Pricing Anomaly–Empirical Evidence from Indian Capital Market. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 4(12), 224-233.
Hedau, A., & Mishra, S. (2023). Equity price determinants of India’s nifty next 50 index firms’. Indian Journal of Finance and Banking, 13(2), 14-22.
Hire, S., Sandbhor, S., Ruikar, K., & Amarnath, C. B. (2021). BIM usage benefits and challenges for site safety application in Indian construction sector. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 22, 1249–1267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-021-00379-8
Hosseini, M. R., Chileshe, N., Zuo, J., Baroudi, B., & Arashpour, M. (2016). Barriers to BIM adoption in Australia and Iran. Journal of Management in Engineering, 32(5), 04016012. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000448
Jung, Y., & Joo, M. (2011). Building information modelling implementation framework for practical adoption. Automation in Construction, 20(2), 126–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.09.010
Kassem, M., Succar, B., & Dawood, N. (2015). BIM maturity and its impact on BIM performance. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 11(3), 141–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2014.907801
Khosrowshahi, F., & Arayici, Y. (2012). Roadmap for implementation of BIM in the UK construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 19(6), 610–635. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699981211277531
Li, H., Lu, M., Hsu, S. C., Gray, M., & Huang, T. (2015). Proactive behavior-based safety management for construction safety improvement. Safety Science, 75, 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2015.01.013
Mahalingam, A., Yadav, A. K., & Varaprasad, J. (2015). Investigating the role of lean practices in enabling BIM adoption. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 141(7), 04014085. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000989
Merschbrock, C., & Munkvold, B. E. (2012). A research review on BIM adoption. ITcon, 17, 316–340.
Mishra, A., Hasan, A., & Jha, K. N. (2024). A holistic evaluation of BIM implementation barriers in the Indian construction industry: Pre- and post-adoption perspectives. Journal of Management in Engineering, 40(2), 04023089. https://doi.org/10.1080/15578771.2024.2320108
Mitropoulos, P., & Tatum, C. B. (2000). Forces driving adoption of new information technologies. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 126(5), 340–348. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2000)126:5(340)
Mom, M., Tsai, M. H., & Hsieh, S. H. (2014). Developing critical success factors for the assessment of BIM technology adoption. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 21(6), 684–704. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2013-0068
Oesterreich, T. D., & Teuteberg, F. (2016). Understanding the implications of digitisation in the construction industry. Computers in Industry, 83, 121–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2016.09.006
Pan, Y., Zhang, L., Skibniewski, M. J., & Wang, J. (2020). Integrated blockchain and BIM technologies for construction project management. Automation in Construction, 109, 102949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.102949
Porwal, A., & Hewage, K. N. (2013). Building information modeling-based analysis to minimize waste rate. Automation in Construction, 29, 204–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2012.10.002
Rajput, B. L., Agarwal, A. L., & Pawar, A. D. (2019). Study on BIM advantages and barriers to its adoption on construction project sites in India. Journal of Real Estate, Construction and Management, 34(3), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/2977657020190303
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Ruthvika, J., & Hedau, A. (2025). Digital inclusion and economic equity: Evaluating the role of business analytics in overcoming socioeconomic challenges. SocioEconomic Challenges, 9(4), 150-164. https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.9(4).150-164.2025
Sawhney, A. (2014). State of BIM adoption and outlook in India. Journal of Building Information Modeling, 1(1), 22–25.
Sawhney, A., Riley, M., & Irizarry, J. (2020). Construction 4.0: An innovation platform for the built environment. Routledge.
Singh, V., Gu, N., & Wang, X. (2011). A theoretical framework of a BIM-based multidisciplinary collaboration platform. Automation in Construction, 20(2), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2010.09.011
Son, H., Lee, S., & Kim, C. (2015). What drives the adoption of building information modeling in design organizations? An empirical investigation of the antecedents affecting architects’ behavioral intentions. Automation in Construction, 49, 92–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.10.012
Succar, B. (2009). Building information modelling framework. Automation in Construction, 18(3), 357–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2008.10.010
Turk, Ž. (2016). Ten questions concerning Building Information Modelling. Building and Environment, 107, 274–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.08.001
Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540
Won, J., Cheng, J. C. P., & Lee, G. (2016). Quantification of construction waste prevented by BIM. Automation in Construction, 72, 176–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.08.001
Zou, P. X. W., Kiviniemi, A., & Jones, S. W. (2017). A review of risk management through BIM. Safety Science, 97, 88–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2015.12.027

DOI

DOI: 10.67061/ijcams.2026.vol.11.issue.02.8090

Download PDF