Sahyoune, Lisa (2025) Investigating the Dynamics of User Adoption of the Augmented Reality Technology in Engineering and Construction Projects. PhD thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

With the advancement of digital technology, augmented reality (AR) technology can play a substantial part in project development and sustainable growth in engineering and construction projects. Utilising AR technology with digital overlays offers a three-dimensional (3D) setting that combines real and virtual environments in real time. This immersive capability enables an improved spatial understanding and real-time data benefits for construction and engineering projects. Additionally, AR technology can lead to constructive outcomes, such as positive performance, accurate defect detection and data synchronisation. Using the DeLone-McLean theory of information systems success suggests that technology use and satisfaction can impact net benefits. As a result of this, and taking into account the context of this research, the user acceptance of AR technology can positively influence success in engineering and construction projects. Therefore, this project aims to explore the factors that impact technology acceptance. The benefits of using AR technology in construction and engineering projects include improved communication with real-time data and enhanced stakeholder engagement. Additionally, AR technology provides better decision-making, as it enables complex information to be more accessible through visualisation and facilitates a better understanding for non-technical users. However, AR technology is not being utilised enough in the construction and engineering sectors; it is highlighted that there is a lack of knowledge and validation obtained from real-world environments. It is also evident that AR technology remains immature, with no complete system or framework being developed. There are also minimal studies that clearly outline the benefits and limitations of AR in the construction and engineering sectors. Researchers have carried out extensive research on the user acceptance of technology. There is, however, a lack of qualitative research that presents a more comprehensive view of the factors that drive the user acceptance of AR technology in engineering and construction projects. This research provides insight into the dynamics of user acceptance in engineering and construction projects through grounded theory in a real-world context. In addition, it identifies factors that influence the outcome of construction and engineering projects related to user acceptance. This research collected data through open-ended survey questionnaires and interviews. The data obtained were analysed using an iterative approach based on grounded theory principles in this study. A total of 248 open codes, 49 axial codes and 18 selective codes were generated. This process provided a taxonomy, a comprehensive framework and a causal loop diagram identifying the relationships of the user acceptance of AR technology adoption in engineering and construction. The theoretical integration of the findings has emerged from both data analysis and the current literature reviewed during this research, identifying various relationships that impact AR technology and providing sector-specific insights into the successful use of AR technology. This research provides structured models that bring together real-world scenarios and highlight the groundwork of the user acceptance of digital technology adoption. This research contributes to both academia and practitioners by clarifying the benefits and limitations of AR technology acceptance in the construction and engineering sectors in realworld environments, effectively bridging the gap between practical implementation and understanding new technology. This insight enables organisations to effectively implement new technology by providing a governing framework and a causal loop diagram that connects key relationships that influence user acceptance, thereby creating an immersive and innovative digital environment that benefits organisational performance and stakeholders.

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