DEMATEL-ISM-Based Analysis of Intelligent Construction Adoption Barriers and Their Inner Mechanisms

The application of information technology in the field of construction engineering and management has led to the construction industry undergoing a revolutionary and transformative shift, characterized by the emergence of numerous and diverse technologies that have invigorated traditional production models and processes, resulting in notable enhancements in production levels and product development. Despite the immense potential of intelligent construction and the significant improvements it could bring, this innovative approach has not yet been widely recognized and adopted globally. In fact, the utilization of new technologies in this domain remains disappointingly low, given their potential impact. To better understand and address this issue, this article utilized an ISM-based approach to fully analyze the influencing factors of smart construction adoption, in a bid to identify and examine the 16 most significant obstacles to the adoption of intelligent construction. To determine the causal relationship and impact intensity between factors, the DEMATEL model is applied, and the resultant causal relationship between factors is visualized to evaluate the presence and strength of the key factors. To establish a multi-level model of the identified obstacles, an interpretive structural model is used, with the result being a comprehensive strategic framework that addresses the 16 major obstacles. The key factors that affect the development and popularization of intelligent construction are then sorted out, their importance and interaction relationships analyzed, and the differences in the action paths of different key factors are discussed. Against the backdrop of informatization and intelligence becoming the development trend of the times, this article provides countermeasures and suggestions for the future development and popularization of intelligent construction, with the ultimate goal of accelerating the transformation of the construction industry from traditional construction methods to intelligent construction.