Virtual reality in construction activities: barriers for adoption in China

Main Article Content

Abstract

Purpose - The research presents a study of the barriers that hamper industry adoption of Virtual Reality (VR) for construction activities in China.


Design/methodology/approach - The research adopted a qualitative research methodology, using semi-structured interviews to collect data from participants. The initial set of codes was established through an open coding method for the subsequent content analysis of data.


Findings - The findings obtained identified the economic issue as the main barrier impeding the adoption of VR to deliver construction projects in China. Other barriers were also identified including insufficient technical depth and awareness, and the fragmented nature of the supply chain within the industry.


Originality/value - The study proposed recommendations on raising awareness, setting up workflows and government support to mitigate the limiting barriers. The findings of the study provide valuable insights to researchers and Chinese construction industry practitioners to better understand and promote VR adoption in the delivery of construction projects.

Article Details

How to Cite
HONG, J., Akotia, J., & Charles, E. (2024). Virtual reality in construction activities: barriers for adoption in China. Construction Economics and Building, 24(1/2). https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v24i1/2.8784
Section
Articles (Peer reviewed)

References

Akotia, J and Opoku, A. (2018) Sustainable regeneration project delivery in UK A qualitative analysis of practitioners’ engagement, Journal of Facilities Management, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 87-100. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JFM-05-2017-0024
Alam, M. F., Katsikas, S., Beltramello, O., and Hadjiefthymiades, S. (2017). “Augmented and virtual reality-based monitoring and safety system: A prototype IoT platform.” Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 89, 109–119. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2017.03.022
Albert, A., Hallowell, M. R., Kleiner, B., Chen, A., and Golparvar-Fard, M. (2014). “Enhancing construction hazard recognition with high-fidelity augmented virtuality.” Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(7), 04014024. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000860
Berger, R. (2016). “Digitalization in the construction industry: building Europe's road to construction 4.0.” Roland Berger, GMBH (Ed.), Think Act, June Edition, Center Sederanger, Munich. Available at: https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Publications/pub_digitization_of_the_construction_industry.html
Boddy, C.R. (2016). “Sample size for qualitative research.” Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 426-432. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/QMR-06-2016-0053
Cao, L., Lin, J., and Li, N. (2019). “A virtual reality-based study of indoor fire evacuation after active or passive spatial exploration.” Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 37–45. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.041
CeArley, D., Burke, B., Searle, S., and Walker, M. J. (2016). “Top 10 strategic technology trends for 2018.” The Top, 10, 1–246. Available at: http://brilliantdude.com/solves/content/GartnerTrends2018.pdf
Creswell, J.W. (2013). “Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches.” 3rd ed. USA, SAGE Publications, Inc. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839915580941
Creswell, J.W. (2009). “Research design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches”, 3rd Edition, UK, Sage. Available at: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A179135593/AONE?u=anon~c742c3f7&sid=googleScholar&xid=6290760c.
Delgado, D. J. M., Oyedele, L., Beach, T., and Demian, P. (2020). “Augmented and virtual reality in construction: Drivers and limitations for industry adoption.” Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(7), 04020079. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001844
Du, J., Shi, Y., Zou, Z., and Zhao, D. (2018a). “CoVR: Cloud-based multiuser virtual reality headset system for project communication of remote users.” Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(2), 04017109. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001426
Du, J., Zou, Z., Shi, Y., and Zhao, D. (2018b). “Zero latency: Real-time synchronization of bim data in virtual reality for collaborative decision-making.” Automation in Construction, 85, 51–64. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.009
El Nimr, A. A. and Mohamed, Y. (2011). “Application of gaming engines in simulation driven visualization of construction operations.” Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 16(3), 23–38. Available at: https://itcon.org/papers/2011_3.content.02617.pdf
Forcael, E., Ferrari, I., Opazo-Vega, A., and Pulido-Arcas, J. A. (2020). “Construction 4.0: A literature review.” Sustainability, 12(22), 9755. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229755
Gawai, V.N; Ingole N.W; Dahane, R.A. (2022) “Adoption of survey methods and future of virtual reality in construction project and management.” International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management, Vol-06 Issue 06. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/82216451/ADOPTION_OF_SURVEY_METHODS_AND_FUTURE_OF_VIRTUAL_REALITY_IN_CONSTRUCTION_PROJECT_AND_MANAGEMENT?f_ri=50642
Greenwood, D., Horne, M., Thompson, E. M., Allwood, C. M., Wernemyr, C., and Westerdahl, B. (2008). “Strategic perspectives on the use of virtual reality within the building industries of four countries.” Architectural engineering and design management, 4(2), 85–98. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3763/aedm.2008.0076
General Services Administration. (2017). “Virtual and augmented reality initiative.” Washington DC: GSA.
Hajirasouli, A., Banihashemi, S., Drogemuller R., Fazeli, A and Mohandes, S.R. (2022) “Augmented reality in design and construction: thematic analysis and conceptual frameworks.” Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 412-443. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/CI-01-2022-0007
Hernández, L. A., Taibo, J., Blanco, D., Iglesias, J. A., Seoane, A., Jaspe, A., and López, R. (2007). “Physically walking in digital spaces—a virtual reality installation for exploration of historical heritage.” International journal of architectural computing, 5(3), 487–506. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1260/147807707782581783
Howard, T. L. and Gaborit, N. (2007). “Using virtual environment technology to improve public participation in urban planning process.” Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 133(4), 233–241. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9488(2007)133:4(233)
Huang, H. (2010). “Introducing virtual reality technology into building construction.” City Construction., 7, 150 (in Chinese). Available at: https://xueshu.baidu.com/usercenter/paper/show?paperid=1u3g0c70yj3106s0f07v00m0as196449&site=xueshu_se
Ji, S. (2018). “VR application and prospect in construction technology.” Construction Materials Decoration., 8, 150–151 (in Chinese). Available at: https://xueshu.baidu.com/usercenter/paper/show?paperid=1s1t0xm0982n0c70kh4t0mq0hc462621&site=xueshu_se
Jiang, Z., Messner, J. I., and Dubler, C. R. (2017). “Defining a taxonomy for virtual 3d city model use cases with a focus on facility asset management—a virtual campus case study.” Computing in Civil Engineering 2017, 43–50. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784480823.006
Kim, M., Wang, X., Love, P., Li, H., and Kang, S.-C. (2013). “Virtual reality for the built environment: a critical review of recent advances.” Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 18(2013), 279–305. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/48139
Levitt, H.M., Creswell, J.W., Josselson, R., Bamberg, M., Frost, D.M., Suárez-Orozco, C. (2018). “Journal Article Reporting Standards for Qualitative Primary, Qualitative Meta-Analytic, and Mixed Methods Research in Psychology: The APA Publications and Communications Board Task Force Report.” American Psychological Association, Vol. 73, No. 1, 26 – 46. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0000151
Li, Y. (2005). “Application of IT technology to reform the traditional building industry.” China Civil Engineering Journal (in Chinese). Available at: http://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=6199537
Li, G.C., Ding, L.Y and Wang, J.T. (2006). “Construction project control in Virtual Reality: A case study.” Journal of Applied Sciences, 6(13): 2724 2732. Available at: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006JApSc...6.2724L/abstract
Lincoln, Y. S and Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8
Lipman, R. R. (2004). “Mobile 3d visualization for steel structures.” Automation in Construction, 13(1), 119–125. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2003.08.008
Lu, J. and Su, T. (2007). “Virtual reality application technology on landscape design.” JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY, 50(06), 139 (in Chinese). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.jssn.1000-2006.2007.06.034
Lu, X. and Davis, S. (2018). “Priming effects on safety decisions in a virtual construction simulator.” Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2016-0114
McMillan, K. (1994). “Virtual reality: Architecture and the broader community.” Available at: www.arch.umsw.edu.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. (2018). Guidance for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on accelerating the development of the VR Industry (December 25, 2018). (In Chinese). Available at: https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2018-12/31/content_5442943.htm
Mollazadeh, M. and Zhu, Y. (2021). “Application of virtual environments for biophilic design: A critical review.” Buildings, 11(4), 148. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11040148
National Development and Reform Commission. (2019). Catalogue of guidance for industrial restructuring (October 30, 2019). (in Chinese). Available at: https://zfxxgk.ndrc.gov.cn/upload/images/20220/202201016405480.pdf
National Infrastructure Commission. (2018). Data for the public good. Washington DC: GSA. (September 12, 2018). Available at: https://nic.org.uk/app/uploads/Data-for-the-Public-Good-NIC-Report.pdf
Olofsson, T., Lee, G., Eastman, C., Reed, D., et al. (2007). “Benefits and lessons learned of implementing building virtual design and construction (VDC) technologies for coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems on a large healthcare project.” Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 13(22), 324-342. Available at: http://www.itcon.org/2008/22
Pan, Z., Shi, J and Lu, Q. (2000). “Virtual Reality and its applications in China: an overview.” The international Journal of Virtual Reality, Vol. 4, No. 3. Available at: https://doi.org/10.20870/IJVR.2000.4.3.2645
Pham, H. C., Dao, N.-N., Kim, J.-U., Cho, S., and Park, C.-S. (2018). “Energy-efficient learning system using web-based panoramic virtual photoreality for interactive construction safety education.” Sustainability, 10(7), 2262. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072262
Polkinghorne, D. E. (1989). “Phenomenological research methods.” In R. S. Valle & S. Halling (Eds.), Existential-phenomenological perspectives in psychology (pp. 41-60). New York: Plenum Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6989-3_3
Pratama, L. A. and Dossick, C. S. (2019). “Workflow in virtual reality tool development for AEC industry.” Advances in Informatics and Computing in Civil and Construction Engineering, Springer, 297–306. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00220-6_36
Rahimian, F. P., Seyedzadeh, S., Oliver, S., Rodriguez, S., and Dawood, N. (2020). “On-demand monitoring of construction projects through a game-like hybrid application of bim and machine learning.” Automation in Construction, 110, 103012. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.103012
Sacks, R., Perlman, A., and Barak, R. (2013). “Construction safety training using immersive virtual reality.” Construction Management and Economics, 31(9), 1005–1017. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2013.828844
Shan, Y. (2019). Virtual Reality in China: Is There a Sustainable Business Model for Virtual Reality Content Enterprises? Cultural Science Journal, 11(1), pp. 54–67. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5334/csci.123
Sang, K., and Powell, A. (2012). “Gender inequality in the construction industry: Lessons from Pierre Bourdieu.” Management, 237, 247. Available at: https://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2012-0237-0247_Sang_Powell.pdf
Saunders, M., Lewis, P and Thornhill, A. (2009). Research Methods Business Students. 5th ed., England: Prentice Hall. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330760964_Research_Methods_for_Business_Students_Chapter_4_Understanding_research_philosophy_and_approaches_to_theory_development
Taylor, J. E. (2007). “Antecedents of successful three-dimensional computer-aided design implementation in design and construction networks.” Journal of construction engineering and management, 133(12), 993–1002. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2007)133:12(993)
Teixeira, M.B.F., Pham, K., Caldwell, G., Seevinck, J., Swann, L., Rittenbruch, M., Kelly, N., Santo, Y., Garcia Hansen, V., and Volz, K. (2021). “A user-centred focus on augmented reality and virtual reality in AEC: Opportunities and barriers identified by industry professionals.” PROJECTIONS: Proceedings of the 26th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA) 2021, Volume 2, The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, 273–283. Available at: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/209596/
Tian, G. (2010). “Application and prospect of virtual simulation technology in construction engineering.” Construction Materials Decoration., 14, 226–227 (in Chinese). Available at: https://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/periodical/jcyzs201614130
Torano, J., Diego, I., Menéndez, M., and Gent, M. (2008). “A finite element method (fem)–fuzzy logic (soft computing)–virtual reality model approach in a coalface longwall mining simulation.” Automation in Construction, 17(4), 413–424. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2007.07.001
Wang, K. and Hu, Z. (2009). “Application study of virtual reality in real estate industry.” Proceedings of the 3rd WSEAS International Conference on Computer Engineering and Applications, 247–251. Available at: https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.5555/1519432.1519480
Wang, P., Wu, P., Wang, J., Chi, H.L and Wang, X. (2018). A Critical Review of the Use of Virtual Reality in Construction Engineering Education and Training, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15, 1204; doi:10.3390/ijerph15061204. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15061204
Wang, Y. (2018). “Engineering quality control and management based on bim technology and VR technology.” M.S. thesis, Yunnan Univ., (in Chinese). Available at: http://cdmd.cnki.com.cn/Article/CDMD-10673-1019024261.htm
Wen, J. and Gheisari, M. (2020). “Using virtual reality to facilitate communication in the AEC domain: A systematic review.” Construction Innovation. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/CI-11-2019-0122
Westerdahl, B., Suneson, K., Wernemyr, C., Roupé, M., Johansson, M., and Allwood, C. M. (2006). “Users’ evaluation of a virtual reality architectural model compared with the experience of the completed building.” Automation in construction, 15(2), 150–165. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2005.02.010
Whyte, J. (2003). “Innovation and users: virtual reality in the construction sector.” Construction Management and Economics, 21(6), 565-572. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/0144619032000113690
Xia, S. A. (2013). “Design and implementation of campus 3d virtual walkthrough system-take Hunan science and technology university as an example.” Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol. 268, Trans Tech Publ, 1926–1929. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.268-270.1926
Yang, Q. and Zhong, S. (2020). “A study on the development of virtual reality technology in China: Review and prospect.” Scientific Management Research., 05, 20–26 (in Chinese). Available at: https://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/periodical/kxglyj202005003
Zhang, D., Zhang, J., Xiong, H., Cui, Z., and Lu, D. (2019). “Taking advantage of collective intelligence and bim-based virtual reality in fire safety inspection for commercial and public buildings.” Applied Sciences, 9(23), 5068. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/app9235068
Zhang, Y., Liu, H., Kang, S.-C., and Al-Hussein, M. (2020). “Virtual reality applications for the built environment: Research trends and opportunities.” Automation in Construction, 118, 103311. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103311
Zhu, W. and Fan, G. (2016). “Application of computer virtual reality technology in virtual tour.” International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication, 6(2-4), 273–282. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJAMC.2016.080973