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Digital technologies and sustainability barriers in heavy construction: A structural equation modeling study on triple-bottom-line outcomes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores sustainability barriers in heavy construction and the role of digital technologies in overcoming them within Saudi Arabia’s sector. It focuses on three digital domains: Data Acquisition and Sensing (DTS), Information Management and Integration (DTIM), and Automation and Analytics (DTA). Their influence on internal barriers, economic, technical, and leadership/management is assessed, along with how these barriers affect Triple Bottom Line (TBL) outcomes: economic, environmental, and social. Using PLS-SEM on survey data (n = 85), barriers were identified through literature review and expert validation.The research applies Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze the relationships between digital adoption, barriers, and sustainability outcomes. Data were collected from professionals engaged in heavy construction projects across Saudi Arabia. In total, 19 barriers were identified. Results show technical barriers significantly affect economic outcomes (β = 0.439, p = 0.015) and environmental outcomes (β = 0.480, p = 0.011). However, digital technologies did not exhibit a statistically significant impact on reducing these barriers (e.g., DTA → TE, β = 0.205, p = 0.229; DTIM → TE, β = -0.210, p = 0.234).The model explained 43.2 % variance in economic outcomes, 42.3 % in environmental, and 33.0 % in social outcomes. Predictive assessment (PLSpredict) showed medium out-of-sample predictive power. Findings indicate that digital adoption alone cannot overcome sustainability barriers. Instead, organizational, leadership, and contextual enablers are critical for effective technology implementation and for advancing triple-bottom-line sustainability in Saudi Arabia’s heavy construction sector

Source: Results in Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107808

Authors: Omar S. Taha, Adel Alshibani, Ahmed S. AlTuraik, Mohamed A. Mahmoud, Awsan Mohammed, Mohammad A. Hassanain

Language: English

Topic: BIM and Construction Integration

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,940

Funder: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals