Towards understanding the diffusion and adoption of innovation in the Australian construction industry
Creators: name: Qi, Liang
Publisher: name: RMIT University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 330201
subject: Automation and technology in building and construction
classificationCode: 330203
subject: Building industry studies
classificationCode: 330205
subject: Building organisational studies

description: Given the recognised benefits such as operational cost reduction, productivity improvements and improved environmental sustainability performance, governments of many countries have advocated for the adoption of advanced technologies such as Prefabrication, Building Information Modelling and Virtual Reality in professional practice. However, the Australian construction industry is generally considered to be slow in implementing new ideas and innovative technology. The literature reveals that while participants within Construction Project Organisations (CPOs) collaborate with each other in projects, they may not exhibit the same level of acceptance in the adoption of advanced technology. Existing research suggests that the lack of a whole-of-sector adoption of advanced technology is a consequence of an industry dominated by a conservative approach to risk and change. Such adversity to risk is further exacerbated when it comes to adopting innovation as CPOs understand and define innovation differently, which may influence their acceptance of advanced technology. Further, individuals’ behaviour in the adoption of advanced technology is affected by multiple factors. This PhD study focuses on the identification and exploration of the behavioural aspects of individuals with CPOs and how they influence the adoption of advanced technology in practice. It aims to identify and understand how various factors may affect an organisation and its employees’ attitudes towards advanced technology adoption in the context of innovation.

The research commences with a comprehensive review of innovation theory to classify, describe and determine the preconditions that will likely result in its adoption. The findings indicate that innovation can be typologised into three forms: incremental, radical and disruptive. Understanding the three forms of innovation is vital as, from the research undertaken, it was identified that construction advanced technology might be perceived as all three depending on the individual/organisation. An organisation’s employees’ attitudes towards advanced technology adoption directly informs that organisations’ behaviour. This has ramifications for the adoption of innovation as the industry’s systemic nature requires all stakeholders to embrace innovation if it is going to be successfully implemented.

This research has, to date, identified that the complexity of the industry requires an understanding of the culture of a different organisation if innovation is to be successfully adopted and implemented into projects and operations. The culture of an organisation influences its attitude to the adoption of innovation. Attitude towards innovation is influenced by factors within an organisation, such as individual capability related to knowledge and skills of innovation, organisational slack resources and its size; and impacted by external factors that include, but are not limited to, the competitive nature of the marketplace, and government regulations and standards. This is further problematised as individuals within an organisation may classify a particular type of technology as incremental, radical or disruptive, and this will in turn influence their attitude and acceptance and adoption of the innovation in question. This lack of uniform understanding of innovation is not limited to one organisation but all industry stakeholders. CPOs have different roles and tasks, which creates disparate levels of knowledge, acceptance and attitude towards various forms of construction advanced technology and innovation.

Given the complexity of the industry, the importance of innovation to its successful evolution and the lack of understanding of the factors that influence the adoption of innovation, this thesis seeks to, through a mix of qualitative and quantitative approaches, examine the perception of individuals working within the construction industry of Victoria in Australia towards innovation and its adoption. This research is unique as it applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to determine the attitudes of individuals working for CPOs and other factors that affect innovation adoption within the Australian construction industry. A mixed research method was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen experts to identify the factors that influence behaviours of advanced technology adoption in the construction industry. The interview analysis informed the development of an online survey tool, structured around the TPB approach. One hundred and one valid online questionnaires were received. Forty-four attributes under TPB that referred to Attitude Towards the Behaviour, Subjective Norm and Perceived Behavioural Control were identified and ranked. Mean score comparison and Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation were measured to determine the salient beliefs and significant construct(s) that contributed to advanced technology adoption. The findings were then utilised to develop a model of fostering construction innovation.

The value presented by this research is the insights gained from the synthesis of elements critical for the successful implementation of construction innovation. In addition, this research provides a practical guide for practitioners, particularly CPOs, to help to apply and prioritise innovation, particularly in Architecture, Engineering and Construction projects. Measures can then be devised to help CPOs to prepare for the related challenges associated with adoption.