Effect of Smart Construction Technology Characteristics on the Safety Performance of Construction Projects: An Empirical Analysis Based on Structural Equation Modeling

The application of smart construction technologies is becoming a crucial approach to improving safety performance in the construction industry. Existing research often focuses on the qualitative analysis of specific technologies, neglecting a comprehensive empirical examination of the characteristics of smart construction technologies and their impact on project safety performance. This study identifies five principal characteristics of smart construction technology: integration, automation, initiative, shareability, and sustainability. By integrating the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the task–technology fit (TTF) model, we propose a theoretical path of “technology characteristics–perceived behavior–behavioral intention–safety performance” and develop a structural equation model to assess the effect of these characteristics on safety performance. The results indicate that these characteristics have a significant direct impact on safety performance, with the estimated direct effect reaching as high as 0.61. Additionally, these characteristics positively influence safety performance indirectly through mediating variables such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, usage intention, and usage behavior. This study empirically verifies the pathways through which smart construction technology characteristics affect safety performance, providing theoretical support for the widespread application of these technologies in construction engineering and enhancing safety management.

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