Evaluating the Drivers of Virtual Reality Applications for Facilities Management in the Construction Industry

Virtual Reality (VR) technology has emerged as a transformative tool in various industries, including construction and Facilities Management (FM). This study aims to evaluate the key drivers behind VR applications for facilities management within the construction industry. A field survey was conducted among construction professionals in Gauteng province, South Africa, to identify the drivers of VR applications for FM in construction. A random sampling method was used to collect data, and 127 questionnaire responses were received from the construction professionals within the study area. Data collected was computed using a descriptive statistical approach, and the valid mean item score was determined. The study findings identified and ranked the drivers, with the highest being to include quality improvement, reduced cost, productivity improvement, research and development improvement, safety enhancement, and delivery services efficiency as part of leading drive and mitigation of project safety risk and the lowest ranked being stakeholder curiosity. The study concludes that embracing VR technology through a better understanding of drivers for its application is a catalyst for advancing facilities management practices in the construction industry. It also established that with a proactive approach to integration and leveraging the diverse benefits offered by VR, facilities management in the construction industry can position themselves at the forefront of innovation and achieve sustainable growth within the industry.