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<p>Despite the demonstrated potential of superwood materials (engineered or modified wood products, such as densified, thermally modified, or cross-laminated timber, that exhibit enhanced strength, dimensional stability, and resource efficiency relative to conventional timber) and artificial intelligence (AI) to advance sustainable manufacturing, their adoption remains negligible among artisanal furniture producers in resource-constrained developing economies. This study investigates whether and how AI can facilitate superwood utilization within Nigeria’s furniture artisan sector, a context characterized by rising timber scarcity, environmental pressure, and limited technological integration. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed, comprising a survey of 196 furniture artisans and in-depth interviews with 30 practitioners across South-East Nigeria, analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and thematic analysis. Quantitative results revealed low awareness of superwood (34.2%) and AI (45.4%), with substantive AI understanding only 7.7%. Knowledge deficits constituted the most severe barrier (mean &gt; 4.3), followed by financial constraints and infrastructure limitations. Structural equation modeling confirmed TAM relationships: perceived usefulness strongly predicted attitude and behavioural intention, while perceived ease of use remained low (superwood M = 2.87, AI M = 2.65), indicating that anticipated complexity hinders adoption. Qualitative findings elaborated on economic pressures, cultural attachment to traditional hardwoods, cooperative procurement preferences, and unreliable electricity/internet as enabling conditions. In response, the study developed the Contextually Appropriate Framework for AI-Facilitated Superwood Utilization (CAFAISU), integrating knowledge ecosystems, phased technology implementation, financial accessibility mechanisms, sociocultural integration, and infrastructure support. Overall, the findings indicate that AI may serve as a facilitating mechanism particularly through design optimization, mobile-based knowledge dissemination, and cooperative procurement but only once foundational knowledge, financial, infrastructural, and cultural barriers are addressed. Realizing this potential requires targeted, multipronged interventions that address these deficits simultaneously, beginning with the knowledge and infrastructure foundations on which subsequent technology adoption depends.</p>

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The role of artificial intelligence in facilitating superwood utilization among furniture craft producers for sustainable smart manufacturing

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月11日

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  • Damian Kanayochukwu Ogbu,
  • Victor Arinzechukwu Okanya,
  • Kevin Onyekachi Attah

摘要

Despite the demonstrated potential of superwood materials (engineered or modified wood products, such as densified, thermally modified, or cross-laminated timber, that exhibit enhanced strength, dimensional stability, and resource efficiency relative to conventional timber) and artificial intelligence (AI) to advance sustainable manufacturing, their adoption remains negligible among artisanal furniture producers in resource-constrained developing economies. This study investigates whether and how AI can facilitate superwood utilization within Nigeria’s furniture artisan sector, a context characterized by rising timber scarcity, environmental pressure, and limited technological integration. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed, comprising a survey of 196 furniture artisans and in-depth interviews with 30 practitioners across South-East Nigeria, analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and thematic analysis. Quantitative results revealed low awareness of superwood (34.2%) and AI (45.4%), with substantive AI understanding only 7.7%. Knowledge deficits constituted the most severe barrier (mean > 4.3), followed by financial constraints and infrastructure limitations. Structural equation modeling confirmed TAM relationships: perceived usefulness strongly predicted attitude and behavioural intention, while perceived ease of use remained low (superwood M = 2.87, AI M = 2.65), indicating that anticipated complexity hinders adoption. Qualitative findings elaborated on economic pressures, cultural attachment to traditional hardwoods, cooperative procurement preferences, and unreliable electricity/internet as enabling conditions. In response, the study developed the Contextually Appropriate Framework for AI-Facilitated Superwood Utilization (CAFAISU), integrating knowledge ecosystems, phased technology implementation, financial accessibility mechanisms, sociocultural integration, and infrastructure support. Overall, the findings indicate that AI may serve as a facilitating mechanism particularly through design optimization, mobile-based knowledge dissemination, and cooperative procurement but only once foundational knowledge, financial, infrastructural, and cultural barriers are addressed. Realizing this potential requires targeted, multipronged interventions that address these deficits simultaneously, beginning with the knowledge and infrastructure foundations on which subsequent technology adoption depends.