Appraising the Role of Technology as a Primary Driver of Digital Transformation in Construction 4.0 Adoption Using a Qualitative Approach

The advancement of technology has improved the supply chain of major sectors of the economy, including construction. Thus, digital technology may advance the transition from the conventional practices to the Construction 4.0 environment, particularly in developing countries. Studies are scarce concerning the role of technology as a key driver of digital transformation in Construction 4.0 Adoption in the South African construction sector. Thus, this study appraises digital technologies for construction project execution and sheds light on the role of technology as a key driver of digital transformation in Construction 4.0 Adoption in the South African construction sector. The study utilised a qualitative approach and included face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 50 participants in South Africa who are knowledgeable in Construc-tion 4.0 and digital technology. The researchers also adopted thematic analysis using Atlas.ti and NVivo to analyse the data. The findings reveal that the benefits of digital technologies for construction project execution in the South African construction sector, and, by extension, for transforming conventional practices into Construction 4.0, can-not be overstated if well embraced and implemented. Findings also identified the key technologies driving digital transformation in Construction 4.0 Adoption in the South African construction sector, grouping them into six sub-themes. This study contributes to the theoretical discourse on technology as a primary driver of digital transformation in the context of Construction 4.0 adoption. It also offers practical insights into project resilience and the role of adopting digital technologies in the construction industry, particularly in the South African construction industry context.