Examining the Barriers to the Adoption of IoT-Based Technologies in Green Buildings

Abstract

Although the adoption of Internet of Things (IoTs) for green buildings (GBs) has attracted significant attention from researchers and practitioners in the construction sector, few studies have investigated the barriers to its implementation. To bridge this gap, this study aimed to identify and analyze the barriers to the adoption of IoTs in GBs through the lens of seasoned experts in the Hong Kong construction sector. A hybrid of systematic reviews, expert interviews, and social network analysis was used. The results revealed that 26 barriers impede the adoption of IoTs within GBs, and these barriers can be categorized into seven clusters. The most significant barriers include “political/regulatory” and “security” categories; and “cybersecurity and data risks,” “concerns over the protection of intellectual property,” “fewer GB codes/regulations available,” “documentation requirements,” and “uncertain government policies and absence of government support.” These findings pave the way for relevant decision makers to adopt further productive measures to promote the adoption of IoT-based technologies in GBs, thereby expediting the application of the sustainability paradigm in the construction sector.