Exploring the Dynamics of User Uptake of Augmented Reality in Engineering and Construction Projects

With advances in digital technology, augmented reality (AR) can play a substantial role in project development and sustainable growth in engineering and construction. Utilising AR technology with digital overlays offers a three-dimensional (3D) setting that combines real and virtual environments in real time. This immersive capability enables an improved spatial understanding and real-time data benefits for construction and engineering projects. Researchers have conducted extensive research on user acceptance of technology. There is, however, a lack of qualitative research that provides a more comprehensive view of the factors driving user acceptance of AR technology in engineering and construction projects. This research provides insight into the dynamics of user acceptance in engineering and construction projects through grounded theory in a real-world context. This research collected data through open-ended survey questionnaires and interviews. The obtained data were analysed using an iterative approach based on grounded theory principles in this study. A total of 248 open codes, 49 axial codes and 18 selective codes were generated. This process provided a causal loop diagram identifying the relationships of the user acceptance of AR technology adoption in engineering and construction.