Quantification of economic influences on technology adoption and diffusion in the construction industry

The construction industry has been slow to adopt technologies like design automation and robotic fabrication due to high initial costs and long project cycles. However, demand for efficiency, sustainability and safety has spurred technological transformation. This study explores how technology spreads in construction by examining mimetic behaviour among enterprises of varying income levels using an agent-based modelling (ABM) approach. The model uses empirical data from literature to simulate interactions and economic impacts on adoption across high-, medium- and low-income enterprises. Findings show that high-income firms adopt technologies during economic growth to strengthen market position, while low-income firms invest during downturns to cut costs and enhance competitiveness. Medium-income firms adopt cautiously but steadily in stable growth scenarios. These results highlight economic conditions and income differences in shaping adoption strategies, offering insights for policymakers promoting technology diffusion in construction. As a premise work to explore quantifiable economic impact of technology adoption, this study has reviewed key economic drivers and barriers that may influence technology diffusion across different enterprise categories. Coupled this with the ABM findings, this study offers construction managers practical insights to align technology investments with economic trends, enabling them to reduce risks and enhance competitiveness under varying market conditions.