Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
8-30-2025
Year of Publication
2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Engineering
Department/School/Program
Civil Engineering
First Advisor
Hala Nassereddine
Second Advisor
Gabriel Dadi
Abstract
The construction industry has been influenced by a wave of technological advancements and trends that were introduced by the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0. Mapped as Construction 4.0, these technologies are disrupting the way projects are designed, planned, constructed, delivered, and operated. While existing research has predominantly focused on technology adoption and use cases across the project lifecycle, limited attention has been given to the organizational perspective and explored Construction 4.0 as a transformative vision. As such, there is a significant need for decision science research to support decision-makers in understanding the value of Construction 4.0, gaining leadership buy-in, minimizing resistance to change within the organization, and perceiving technologies as “long-term investments” rather than “shiny tools”.
To bridge the research gap, this dissertation presents a holistic roadmap and develops comprehensive models that can guide construction organizations in their Construction 4.0 decision-making aspect. The findings of the dissertation serve three primary objectives. The roadmap is referred to as the “ABC’s of Construction 4.0 Decisions”.
First, the findings enable organizations to assess, understand, and effectively communicate the value proposition of Construction 4.0 decisions by leveraging the Futures Triangle theory. This theory takes into account the organization's historical challenges, current industry trends, and future organizational aspirations, providing a robust understanding of the distinctive value that decisions can offer. To quantify the value, a Construction 4.0 value Proposition score (CVPS4.0) was developed and tested with a subject matter expert.
Next, the findings provide organizations with a breakdown of the decision-making factors that can evaluate the fitness of Construction 4.0 decisions within the organization. These factors account for the alignment between the decisions, the organization’s capabilities, and the business environment in which it operates. Guided by the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) theory, the factors can also effectively consider the unique circumstances and context of each organization. Moreover, the factors can serve as the base of a Construction 4.0 Fitness Index (CFI4.0) that decision-makers can use to quantify the fitness of technology and decisions within their organization.
Lastly, the findings aid organizations in creating a systematic plan for implementing decisions. Implementation practices are provided for six key pillars: people, environment, approaches, resources, leadership, and strategy. These pillars establish the foundation for a dynamic business canvas that can facilitate a smooth and successful implementation process of Construction 4.0 decisions. The canvas was presented as the Construction 4.0 Implementation Canvas (ConIC4.0).
Therefore, by leveraging the insights of this dissertation, construction organizations can navigate Construction 4.0 decisions and embrace the transformative potential that this revolution can offer.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2023.371
Recommended Citation
Bou Hatoum, Makram Bou, "Value Propositions, Adoption Factors, and Implementation Considerations: Building A Path Towards Construction Innovation" (2023). Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering. 137.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ce_etds/137
