Application of Digital Technologies Tools for Social and Sustainable Construction in a Developing Economy

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the diverse application areas of digital technologies (DTs) within the Nigerian construction industry, with the intention of gaining insights into their potential benefits, challenges, and opportunities for enhancing efficiency, productivity, and overall performance. This will help us to understand how innovative technologies can improve the various stages of construction projects. To achieve the objectives of this study, a convenience sampling approach was employed to distribute closed-ended questionnaires among construction professionals located in Lagos State. Several statistical tools were used to analyze the obtained data, including percentages, frequencies, mean item scores, and exploratory factor analyses were performed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the dataset. The major findings from the study indicated that architectural design, cost planning, building system analysis, structural analysis, and contract documentation are areas in which DT is mostly applied in the construction industry. Further analysis using factor analysis revealed four clusters of application areas as the pre-contract stage, construction stage, post-contract stage, and modeling stage. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the effective utilization of DT in the construction industry, thereby contributing to informed decision-making and improved project management practices. The insights gained from this research can inform industry professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders in making informed decisions to drive positive changes and innovation within the sector.