Awareness, Perceptions and Adoption Potential of Augmented Wood Among Construction Professionals in South East Nigeria

This study examined awareness, perceived benefits and risks, adoption barriers and future adoption potential for Augmented Wood among construction professionals in South East Nigeria. A quantitative dominant convergent mixed methods design combined a survey of 254 registered architects and engineers with 24 semi-structured interviews. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and ordinal logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals reported for all effect sizes. Interview data were analyzed thematically using Cohen’s kappa (κ = 0.81) for inter-rater reliability and integrated with the quantitative findings. Professional awareness was low, with an overall mean of 2.45 on a five-point scale. A one-sample test confirmed that awareness was significantly below the moderate benchmark of 3.00, t(253) = −9.04, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = −0.57 (95% CI: −0.69, −0.45). Product unavailability, the absence of a regulatory framework and high procurement cost were the most severe barriers, with mean scores of 4.28, 4.17 and 4.11 respectively. Ordinal logistic regression revealed that architects showed greater willingness than engineers to recommend the material to clients (OR = 0.618, 95% CI: 0.444–0.861, p = 0.004), after controlling for years of experience and state of practice, although both groups reported strong readiness for training. Interview accounts explained the conditional nature of this interest, especially the need for local testing, demonstration projects, standards and accessible supply. The findings provide an evidence base for professional education, pilot projects, product certification and policy development in Nigeria and comparable markets.