Loading...
Exploring barriers and strategies for the adoption of industry X.0 technologies in civil engineering consulting firms in South Africa
Author(s)
Matlakala, Resego Thabiso
Date Issued
2026
Type
master thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Industry X.0 technologies—spanning Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and digital twins—promise measurable gains in delivery certainty, coordination and lifecycle performance for civil-engineering consulting. Yet adoption in South Africa has been uneven, shaped by resource constraints, skills gaps and interoperability challenges. This study investigates the current state of adoption, quantifies realised benefits, ranks barriers, and identifies practical strategies to accelerate integration in South African civil-engineering consulting firms. A crosssectional, mixed-methods design was employed using an online questionnaire with closed Likert-type items and optional open-ended responses to capture both prevalence and practitioner commentary. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics for frequencies, proportions and mean barrier scores, complemented by thematic coding of free-text responses to surface implementation insights. Results indicate that perceived benefits are concentrated in efficiency/productivity (73.9%) and accuracy/error-reduction (71.6%), with collaboration (50.0%), cost savings (46.6%) and sustainability (36.4%) also frequently reported. Among firms that had adopted one or more Industry X.0 tools, nearly one-third observed high improvements (>21%), while roughly half reported moderate gains (6–20%), and a minority noted low or no measurable improvement— consistent with tools being in early pilot phases. Ranked barriers show a clear hierarchy: cost (mean≈3.58/5) and technical skills (≈3.50/5) dominate, followed by insufficient training (≈3.40/5), resistance to change (≈3.33/5) and workflow/interoperability challenges (≈3.13/5). Practical levers preferred by respondents include in-house workshops (≈59%), online courses/certifications (≈55%) and on-site demonstrations (≈46%), alongside policy ideas such as BIM-informed procurement and fiscal incentives. Technology-specific signals point to strong momentum in GIS/BIM, expanding drone use (with a substantial share relying on outsourced flight services), and growing interest in IoT and digital twins as data standards mature. The study concludes that benefits materialise most reliably when tools move from isolated pilots into disciplined workflows supported by people development and data-integration practices. It recommends a cyclical framework—rapid diagnostics; parallel tracks for financing, skills and technical integration; threshold-based pilots; and scale-up through internal knowledgesharing—to convert pilots into institutionalised capability. These findings offer an evidencebased roadmap for firms, professional bodies and public clients seeking to close the gap between innovation and routine practice in the South African context.
Additional information
Thesis (MEng (Engineering Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2026
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
Matlakala, RT_210238275 (1).pdf
Size
2.2 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):28a123e99c8f60c9e01a06c8bf8fbb9f