Exploring the adoption of smart facilities management in Ghana: understanding the key factors and challenges through the Diffusion of Innovation Theory

Purpose As industries move from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, digital facilities management becomes more essential. However, the adoption of smart facilities management (SFM) in Ghana has been slow. This study aims to identify the key factors driving its adoption. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through structured surveys from facility managers in Accra using a quantitative approach. The study examined key adoption factors, including relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, observability and trialability. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to validate the measurement model. Findings The analysis from the exploratory factor analysis revealed five different factors that influence SFM adoption, namely, relative advantage, observability, trialability, complexity and compatibility. The multiple regression analysis showed that relative advantage (ß = 0.574, p < 0.001) and observability (ß = 0.326, p < 0.001) positively and significantly influence the adoption of SFM, while complexity (ß = −0.037, p = 0.306), compatibility (ß = −0.045, p = 0.216) and trialability (ß = −0.027, p = 0.464) did not affect SFM significantly. Practical implications The study provides practical recommendations for policymakers, facility managers and technology providers, including policy incentives, infrastructure investments and specialised training to support SFM adoption. Originality/value This research fills a gap by offering an in-depth analysis of SFM adoption in Ghana. By applying Diffusion of Innovation Theory, a structured framework is presented for understanding technology adoption in facilities management, benefiting both academia and industry.