Exploring the impact of drivers and barriers of augmented reality on construction lifecycle in the Nigerian construction industry

Abstract

Industry 4.0 marks a shift from traditional approaches to production, construction and human interactions towards a digital environment in which machinery and people work together seamlessly. This transformative wave brings together advanced technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), transforming the landscape of production, construction and human interactions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of drivers of and barriers to AR on the construction lifecycle. The study employed a quantitative approach, distributing structured questionnaires to professionals in Nigeria’s construction sector. The snowball sampling technique was used to collect responses from 408 participants. Furthermore, statistical tests such as Cronbach Alpha, Anderson–Darling test, Descriptive statistics, and Exploratory Factor Analysis were used to analyze the data. The study developed a framework and tested the hypotheses using Partial Least Structural Equation Modelling. The study revealed that integration challenges and pressure to reduce project costs, with an MIS of 4.44 and 4.82, respectively, are the topmost barriers to and drivers of AR in the construction industry. The study also showed that the drivers of AR have a positive impact on the construction lifecycle while the barriers have a negative effect on the construction lifecycle. The study presents promising opportunities to improve both the construction process and the overall construction lifecycle.