Assessing Multi-Level Uncertainties in Construction Robotics Entrepreneurship by Means of Methodological Pluralism

Abstract

The architecture, engineering, and construction sectors face increasing pressure to meet global demand for housing and infrastructure while balancing economic viability and environmental sustainability. Emerging technologies such as robotics, automation, and 3D concrete printing are expected to transform the industry by increasing productivity, improving worker safety, and reducing environmental impact. Yet despite this potential, adoption remains slow. Traditional practices, fragmented organisational structures, and resistance to change continue to pose significant barriers to integration. Technology entrepreneurship offers a potential pathway to addressing these challenges. Entrepreneurs can help shape technologies in ways that better align with, and at times challenge, existing construction practices and organisational systems. As such, this thesis examines the entrepreneurial dynamics that influence the integration of construction technologies. It is guided by three questions: (1) What design features of robotics enhance user acceptance and reduce stakeholder resistance? (2) How can firms assess cost-benefit implications and return on investment when scaling these technologies? (3) How does venture capital influence the trajectory of technological innovation in construction? The research adopts a multi-level approach to analyse adoption processes at individual, firm, and institutional levels. Each level confronts distinct socio-technical, techno-economic, and socio-economic uncertainties as these technologies mature. While prior studies often prioritise technological feasibility, they tend to overlook the broader conditions that shape innovation outcomes. This thesis addresses that gap through a combination of mixed methods (Chapter 2) and both quantitative and qualitative case studies (Chapters 3 and 4). Surveys examine stakeholder expectations around robotics design; economic models estimate the scalability of 3D printing; and interviews with startup founders and investors reveal how institutional misalignments constrain innovation. The findings show that adoption unfolds differently across analytical levels. At the individual level, user expectations around ease of use, task fit, and job security influence design acceptance. At the firm level, economic modelling provides a basis for evaluating the financial viability of scaling automation. At the institutional level, coordination among stakeholders becomes critical for enabling broader implementation. Taken together, these insights show that managing construction innovation requires coordination across individual, firm, and institutional levels. This research contributes to construction management research by clarifying how user perception, economic evaluation, and investment incentives shape the development and adoption of emerging technologies. It also opens new directions for examining how robotics design affects user acceptance and the evolving relationship between workers and machines. Further analysis of unit economics and long-term funding models may strengthen the scalability and viability of construction innovation.