Driving Factors for the Adoption of Digital Twin Technology Implementation for Construction Project Performance in Nigeria

The adoption of digital twin technology (DTT) for enhancing construction project performance, sustainability, and safety of construction workers, among others, is common practice in developed countries. Meanwhile, construction projects in developing nations are suffering from poor outcomes, which could benefit from DTT. Therefore, this research investigates the drivers of the adoption of DTT implementation in the Nigerian construction industry. Close-ended questionnaires were administered to digitally inclined professionals using purposive and snowballing techniques to elicit necessary information on the drivers of DTT implementation. These respondents include architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and builders in the study area. It was found that technological advancement/trend, reliable data storage, safety, availability of software, customer satisfaction, and accessibility were the top-ranked drivers for implementing DTT. A Shapiro-Wilk test was conducted to know whether the data are normally distributed or not, which led to the use of the Kruskal-Wallis H-test. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that government policies have diverging views among the professionals, whereas other factors have converging opinions among the respondents. Factor analysis was conducted to group the key drivers for the implementation of DTT into innovation, operation, quality, performance, and policy drivers. The findings of this study will provide a reference point for researchers and construction organizations on the driving force that brings about the implementation of DTT in a business context and the construction industry. This study realizes that one of the key drivers of the adoption of this technology is a desire for innovation and technological advancement that can be achieved when the technology performs to the expectation of clients, organizations, and the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The study also suggests ways of implementing DTT in the construction industry as well. A digital twin (DT) is a virtual replica or representation of a physical object or product. This research proposes practical implications of DT technology adoption in a developing country with a focus on major drivers for enhancing the uptake of the technology in the construction industry. This will give more insight to stakeholders on major drivers to improve its implementation in the construction and other sectors of the country as well as other developing countries. Technological advancement in different countries as shown in the study will expose professionals to the benefits of digital technologies as well as keep the professionals and other stakeholders abreast of the potential benefits. This can be realized when the government is at the frontline in the usage of DT for public construction projects. In addition, there is a need for policy formulation for its implementation in the construction industry to ensure projects are sustainable and delivered to the satisfaction of concerned stakeholders.