Roadmaps to Support Implementation of DLT/Smart Contract Applications in Construction

Abstract

The construction sector is at a point where distributed ledger technologies (DLT) such as blockchain and smart contracts (SCs) are accepted as a future technology in the sphere of digital construction [Xue and Lu, 2020]. The challenge lies in how to move from today’s poorly digitalised sector [Perera, 2020] to a highly digitalised future where DLT and SCs are commonplace throughout the construction lifecycle. In a sector that is resistant to change [McNamara and Sepasgozar, 2020] and second only to agriculture [Argawal et al., 2016] in terms of its digital capabilities, this is an area of research that requires focus. This study aims to support the adoption of DLT and SCs in construction through introduction of two roadmaps to support their implementation. The first is a macro roadmap that supports the sector in readying the construction sector ecosystem that will enable the success of such applications and their contribution to the digital transformation of the sector. The second is a meso roadmap that supports development and implementation of DLT- and SC-based applications through taking a sociotechnical approach to analysis and actions to get the applications to market.