Unlocking the Potential of Collaborative Digital Tools: Key Factors Influencing Their Usage among Workers in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

Abstract

Collaborative Digital Tools (CDTs) are meant to solve key issues such as communication breakdowns, delays in workflows, and misunderstandings of project plans. By allowing real-time updates, progress tracking, and smooth coordination across different locations, they improve how teams work together. Despite their recognised benefits of reducing errors and improving productivity, CDTs usage remains inconsistent across construction firms in Ghana. This study therefore, establishes the key factors influencing the usage of CDTs within the Ghanaian construction industry. A structured questionnaire survey was administered to workers of 20 registered construction firms across Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, resulting in 545 valid responses out of the 650 distributed questionnaires. The firms included in the study ranged from small- to large-scale firms (D4K4 to D1K1). A purposive sampling technique was employed in the study, ensuring that respondents had prior experience with the use of CDTs. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. The F-statistic of 1459.594 with a significance value (p) of 0.000 (less than 0.05) indicates that the model explains a significant proportion of the variance in the CDTs. The high t-value (t=38.205) and low p-value (p<0.05) further underline the statistical significance of these factors. The data analysis comprised both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, AutoCAD, and BIM were identified as the most widely used CDTs for enhancing communication, data management, and project monitoring in the Ghanaian construction industry. However, factors such as security and data privacy concerns, recurring costs of data subscriptions and software updates, technological challenges, post- maintenance expenses, and training requirements hinder the widespread use of CDTs. Hence, ineffective usage of CDTs in the Ghanaian construction industry could be attributed to these inhibiting factors. The study found that training, leadership engagement, and cost-mitigation strategies are vital for CDT adoption. The findings offer insights for construction firms, developers, and policymakers to accelerate digital transformation in Ghana's construction sector.