Achieving sustainable construction in South Africa through digitalization: An exploratory study

The construction industry seeks to transform its existing business model from an overtly physically oriented one into a digitally driven one. This move is predicated on benefits associated with a similar transition in industries such as manufacturing, media, etc. According to some scholars, the adoption and implementation of digitalization in construction supposedly make a significant contribution towards boosting sustainable construction practices therein. However, a paucity of empirical studies supporting this assertion has been observed, hence the need to explore stakeholder perceptions concerning this nexus. It is anticipated that the level of digitalization uptake in the industry will improve significantly if the existence of such a relationship is established. This is the case in South Africa where stakeholders often decry the high cost of digital technologies. Therefore, this study explores the relationship between digitalization and sustainable construction. This qualitative study relied on a phenomenological research design for data elicitation. Interviewees were purposively selected from stakeholder groups within the construction industry. Subsequently, data from the interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate a nexus between the adoption and implementation of digitalization and the achievement of sustainable construction practices. It is expected that this study will increase awareness among relevant stakeholders about the utility of digitalization in engendering sustainable construction practices across different stages of the project delivery lifecycle.