Exploration of Latent Barriers Inhibiting Project Management Processes in Adopting Smart Building Technologies (SBTs) In the Developing Countries

Purpose: Whilst smart building technologies (SBTs) implementation ensures sustainability, their adoption is hampered by latent barriers, especially in project management processes. These latent barriers must be addressed in order to facilitate the successful and widespread adoption of SBTs. This study explores the significant latent barriers inhibiting the project management processes in adopting SBTs in developing countries. Methodology: A positivist research philosophy couched within a deductive approach was adopted to undertake a quantitative questionnaire survey of 227 project management and design team participants. Descriptive and inferential analytical tools (including a one sample T-test and exploratory factor analysis) were then adopted to interpret data collected. Findings: The results reveal that the “high cost of smart sustainable materials and equipment” is the major significant barrier hindering the adoption of SBTs in developing countries. Latent barriers were: “structure and time-related barriers”, “construction-related barriers” and “human, policy and cost-related barriers.” Originality: The study contributes novel insights into the prevailing nascent discourse on SBTs from the perspectives of construction project managers and design teams in developing countries, particularly. Furthermore, this is the first study that ascertains the significant barriers inhibiting project management processes in adopting SBTs in developing countries