Technology acceptance model for Augmented Reality and Building Information Modeling integration in the construction industry

Abstract

The digitalization of the construction industry has immense potential for dramatically improving the industry’s practices. Concerning current measures in construction project management, the industry is still dependent on traditional construction methods. However, the application of fully automated techniques within the construction industry has not yet been a widespread practice. Thus, this may explain why there is a slow adaption of digital growth within the construction industry and specifically in developing countries. This study is aiming to investigate the acceptance of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Augmented Reality (AR) integration in the construction industry. To achieve this aim, Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3) was utilized. The scope was narrowed down to four developing counties (Malaysia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey) and a questionnaire survey was developed and distributed between construction professionals in those countries for data collection purposes. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to develop the TAM, and a regression analysis is used to validate it. The developed TAM3 showed that users control over BIM-AR and perception of easiness of use has the highest influence on their perception of the system usefulness, which would positively affect their intention to use the system. Additionally, unlike the findings of the original TAM3, three variables of Image, Perception of External Control, and Voluntariness illustrate new relations which can be considered as a novel outcome. The outcomes of this study can be used to evaluate the acceptance of BIM-AR Integration in the construction industry context, and the developed TAM3 can be used for the development of new BIM-AR applications in developing countries as it can predict the BIM and AR users’ acceptance.

Metrics development and modelling the mixed reality and digital twin adoption in the context of Industry 4.0

“…Although some studies (Cai et al, 2015;Alaiad and Zhou, 2017) indicated that PEOU has a high effect on the acceptance of MR technology, Choi et al (2017) suggested comfortability as a measure of user acceptance. The same applies to the factor of perceived enjoyment which some studies indicated had a high effect on the acceptance of MRDT technologies ( € Ozgen et al, 2019;Elshafey et al, 2020) but this factor was not strongly supported by other scholars in the construction context (Choi et al, 2017;Pal et al, 2018). Although Jetter et al (2018) reported the insignificant effects of PU and PEOU on attitude, based on the review undertaken, there were moderate relationships among these paths.…”

“…Results indicated that all the aforementioned constructs impacted upon BI with human detachment concerns being the strongest predictor of user adoption of WSN-SHHS. Elshafey et al (2020) investigated the acceptance of BIM and AR integration by construction industry practitioners. A literature review followed by a survey study were chosen as the instruments for conducting the research.…”

“…DTs and mixed realities have plural and cross-industrial applications in manufacturing and service sectors such as enhancing in-line measurement processes (Meißner et al, 2019), assembly verification (Seth et al, 2011), smart assembly (Sand et al, 2016), performance assurance (Steadman and Huang, 2012), lifetime prediction (Sampaio et al, 2010) and maintenance scheduling (Wright and Davidson, 2020). While applications of virtual technologies are widely used and have dominated the prevailing academic discourse, comparatively scant attention has been given to the construction industry which is infamous for being antipathetic to technology adoption and change (Elshafey et al, 2020). For instance, Manyika et al (2015) reported that the rate of digitalisation index for the construction sector was the lowest out of 22 industries.…”

Potentials of Augmented Reality in a BIM based building submission process

“…For these changes to be successful, they need to be accepted by the users of the Construction 4.0 technologies. This is achieved when users perceive the technologies as easy to use and easy to control (Elshafey et al, 2020). Then the users view these technologies as useful and have confidence using them.…”

Towards the implementation of immersive technology in construction – a SWOT Analysis

“…Whilst some relevant comprehensive literature reviews were conducted, scholars of these studies often adopt unique approaches in selecting and reviewing VR, AR and MR related publications, dependent upon their research purposes (Elshafey et al, 2020, Fenais et al, 2020. To state a few, Guo et al (2017) and Xiao et al (2018) focus on reviewing VR/AR in construction safety.…”