THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EFFICIENCY IN KENYA. A CASE STUDY OF MACHAKOS COUNTY

Abstract

In Machakos County, Kenya, this research looked at how building projects benefited from using new technologies. There were four main goals that guided the research: to find out how digital tool usage affects construction project efficiency, how automation of construction processes affect efficiency, how availability of ICT infrastructure affects efficiency, and how technology-enabled stakeholder collaboration affects efficiency. A descriptive research strategy was used in the study. Three hundred and seventeen people from 37 different public and private construction projects made up the target group. Thirty percent of the population of interest (95 participants) was selected using simple random selection in the research. A structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions based on a five-point Likert scale was used to gather data. Pilot research was carried out on 10% of the total sample before the main study to ensure the instrument's validity and reliability. To analyze the data, SPSS Version 29.0 was used once the data was coded. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, which include percentages, means, and standard deviations, as well as frequencies. With 89 returned surveys out of 95 sent out, the response percentage was 93.7%. Project management software improved coordination, according to 41 respondents (with 30 agreeing and 38 strongly agreeing), and Building Information Modeling enhanced planning accuracy, according to 38 respondents (with 33 agreeing); the results demonstrated that digital tool utilization significantly affected project efficiency. Also, the idea that automated equipment boosted production was well-received; 37 respondents strongly agreed and 31 agreed, indicating widespread support for automating building activities. Concerning the accessibility of information and communication technology infrastructure, 42 respondents were in strong agreement and 29 were in agreement that consistent internet access improved communication on building sites. More than half of respondents (41 to be exact) felt that digital communication platforms enhanced coordination among project stakeholders, and a similar percentage (30 to be exact) agreed that this was the case. Time, money, quality, resource utilization, and rework reduction were all areas where the results showed that technology adoption increased project performance. The research found that building projects were far more efficient and successful when digital tools, automation technologies, a sufficient information and communication technology infrastructure, and technology-enabled stakeholder interactions were effectively used. The research concluded that in order to facilitate effective project execution, construction companies should increase spending on digital project management systems, automated construction technology, and dependable information and communication technology infrastructure. In order to increase coordination among project stakeholders, it was also suggested that organizations should encourage the usage of digital collaboration platforms and boost training programs for construction experts to improve their technology abilities.