Modelling the Construction On-Site Technology Adoption Process

Abstract

The global modern technology market in the construction industry is valued at billions of dollars and the approach to technology diffusion taken by vendors has a major impact on the success or failure of those technologies. While many previous studies have examined the adoption and the diffusion of information technologies, the technology diffusion process for advanced on-site equipment such as tower and mobile cranes, piling rig and concrete pumps has received little attention. Based on interviews with vendors and customers covering regions in Australia and North America, during major construction equipment exhibitions, this paper presents a new equipment technology adoption model which, for the first time, describes the relationship between customers and vendors during the on-site technology adoption process. The implications of the model for fostering new on-site technology diffusion to boost productivity are discussed.