Intelligent contract adoption in the construction industry: Concept development

• Published in: Automation in construction 2021-02, Vol.122, p.103452, Article 103452
• Main Authors: McNamara, Alan J., Sepasgozar, Samad M.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automation; Big data; Blockchain; Construction industry; Content analysis; Cryptography; Digitalisation; Digitization; iContract; Industrial development; Smart contract; Taxonomy; Technology assessment
• ISSN: 0926-5805; 1872-7891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103452

The digitalisation of the construction industry through revolutionary innovations, such as blockchain and intelligent contracts (iContracts), is becoming increasingly researched. However, a gap in current literature exists on the identification of contributing factors that will influence successful iContract development and adoption. This study aims to identify key considerations for iContracts in order to develop a novel theoretical adoption model and offer an agenda of six research directions for future iContract development. Through systematic analysis, forty-six key papers were identified with further thematic analysis highlighting the iContract technology's taxonomy. Content analysis then identified nine key themes of relevant considerations, barriers and contributing factors informing the development of the Tri-Dimensional iContract model. This study contributes to the iContract body of knowledge by identifying key considerations for the development and successful adoption of the iContract concept while offering a practical lens to direct future industry adoption and inform the development of iContract technologies. •Identified the iContract technology taxonomy from a systematic literature review.•Identified nine themes of influencing factors based on forty-six relevant studies.•Presented a novel conceptual tri-dimensional model for iContract system adoption.•Developed an agenda of six research directions for iContract concept development.