Exploring the Determinants of Construction 4.0 Implementation in Australian Construction Industry: A SWOT Analysis

Senuri Siriwardhana¹, Robert Moehler^1,2, Yihai Fang¹

1. Monash University
2. Melbourne University

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 830 to 841. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_80.

Abstract

With a pressing need to enhance productivity, Australia has launched initiatives to boost the adoption of advanced digital practices within the construction sector. However, the Australian construction industry has been slow to embrace digital technologies inherent to Construction 4.0. This paper aims to support these initiatives by investigating the determinants influencing the implementation of Construction 4.0 in Australia. Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study involved conducting expert interviews with construction professionals across Australia, identified as key stakeholders in pinpointing critical industry requirements for successful digital transformation. The core analytical tool employed was a SWOT analysis to systematically examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for successful Construction 4.0 implementation in Australia. Findings indicate that strengths such as high industry readiness for technological integration are contrasted by weaknesses including resistance to change and a deficit in skilled workforce. Opportunities identified include employment opportunities, regularized industry and more facilitations for females while threats like cybersecurity risks and economic instability pose significant challenges. This comprehensive analysis delineates the internal and external dynamics, including opportunities and threats impacting the adoption of Construction 4.0 technologies. The findings are intended to inform policymakers and industry leaders, facilitating strategic decision-making to foster a robust digital ecosystem in the Australian construction industry.

Keywords

Session

Presented in Track I, Saturday 9 November 2024, 11:00 to 13:00, room WA 224 A, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Mathias Valenzuela.

How to Cite

Siriwardhana, S., Moehler, R., & Fang, Y. (2025). Exploring the Determinants of Construction 4.0 Implementation in Australian Construction Industry: A SWOT Analysis. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 830–841). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_80

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.