Barriers to the Adoption of Digital Technologies for Sustainable Waste Management

Bamidele Temitope Arijeloye, Samuel Herald Peter Chikafalimani and Molusiwa Stephan Ramabodu

DOI:

Keywords: Sustainable Waste Management, Construction Industry, Circular Economy, Technology Adoption, Barriers to DT Adoption

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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE

This study investigates the barriers hindering the adoption of digital technologies (DTs) for sustainable waste management (SWM) in the Nigerian construction industry, with a focus on promoting circular economy practices and improved resource efficiency.

DESIGN / APPROACH / METHODOLOGY

A quantitative research design was adopted using a structured survey administered to 342 construction professionals across Lagos and Abuja. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to categorize and analyze the perceived barriers to DT adoption.

FINDINGS

The analysis revealed five major categories of barriers: financial, technical, legal, institutional, and behavioural. Key issues include limited access to finance, high implementation costs, lack of technical expertise, poor digital infrastructure, and weak regulatory frameworks. Notably, the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated no significant variation in how different professional groups perceive these barriers, highlighting the systemic nature of the barriers.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS / IMPLICATIONS

This survey is limited to construction professionals in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, which may not reflect regional variations. However, the findings demonstrate specific strategies using empirical evidence. Policymakers, professional bodies, and construction firms can use the evidence to identify strategic investments, capacity building, and regulatory reforms to improve DT adoption for SWM.

ORIGINAL / VALUE

This study is one of the first to categorize DT adoption barriers for sustainable waste management in Nigeria’s construction sector. It supports data-driven policy and institutional reforms to accelerate digital transformation in emerging economies.