Critical Success Factors for Blockchain Implementation in the AEC Industry: An Integrated ISM and DEMATEL Approach

Blockchain has become popular for improving security, transparency, and promoting workflow, and promises to usher in revolution for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. This study intends to evaluate the critical success factors (CSFs) of blockchain implementation from the perspective of the AEC industry and also reveals the hierarchy and interdependencies among these factors using an integrated Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach. The results indicate that government initiatives (CSF8) and effective collaboration (CSF6) are considered to be the significant CSFs. The primary conclusions are as follows: (1) Government and AEC enterprise efforts are the most important drivers and (2) the importance of effective collaboration cannot be ignored. This study reveals to policy makers, practitioners, and scholars the key issues that require attention and provides solutions to help successfully spread blockchain popularity in the AEC industry.