Adoption of Wearables in the Construction Industry: A Survey of Stakeholders’ Perspectives

Despite the high safety risks in construction, on-site adoption of wearable technologies remains low, particularly in the Global South. This mixed-methods study examines construction stakeholders’ perceptions of WT adoption in Lebanon and the GCC, comparing findings with Global North benchmark studies. Data were collected via surveys and semi-structured interviews targeting 101 consulting and contracting professionals. Findings reveal high recognition of WT benefits, specifically for risk reduction ( M = 4 . 40 ) and hazard monitoring, primarily driven by safety-first motivations ( 67 . 3 % ). However, adoption remains low, with 63 . 4 % reporting minimal site usage ( < 25 % ). Primary barriers include privacy concerns ( 83 . 2 % ), implementation costs ( 77 . 2 % ), and trust or surveillance issues. Furthermore, adoption in the Middle East faces unique organizational and cultural challenges. Stronger regulatory frameworks and trust-building strategies are vital to accelerating practical WT integration.