The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced industries worldwide, including the construction sector. This study investigates how the pandemic moderates key factors affecting the adoption of precast concrete components (PCC) in the construction industry, focusing on the perceptions and attitudes of civil engineers.
A quantitative approach was employed, gathering data from civil engineers actively involved in construction projects. The data were collected at two different time points – before and after the pandemic. Structural Equation Modeling using Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was applied to examine the relationships among the variables and assess the moderating role of Covid-19.
The results revealed that perceived usefulness (PU) represented the largest standardized path coefficient in the model on the intention to adopt PCC. Moreover, Covid-19 acted as a significant moderator in the relationship between perceived risk and cost with PU, as well as between cost and compatibility with adoption intention. The pandemic also moderated the effect of government support on perceived ease of use.
These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders and construction managers to better understand shifts in technology adoption behavior during health crises. The outcomes can inform the development of strategies to accelerate the use of precast technologies and support sustainable construction practices.
This study contributes to the literature by integrating Covid-19 as a moderating factor into the technology acceptance model for PCC, highlighting how crises can reshape technology adoption dynamics in the construction sector.
