A Randomised Field Trial for the Adoption of Process-Control Systems in Senegalese Structural Engineering

{ "background": "The integration of digital process-control systems in structural engineering practice is seen as vital for improving efficiency and safety. However, evidence on the factors influencing their adoption in resource-constrained contexts, particularly in West Africa, remains scarce.", "purpose and objectives": "This study aimed to quantify the adoption rate of a specified process-control system among practising structural engineers and to identify key determinants of its uptake within a real-world professional setting.", "methodology": "A randomised field trial was conducted with a cohort of registered structural engineering firms. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, receiving training and access to the system, or a control group. Adoption was measured via system-use logs over a defined period. The primary analysis used a logistic regression model: $\\logit(pi) = \\beta0 + \\beta1 Ti + \\beta' Xi + \\epsiloni$, where $Ti$ is the treatment indicator and $Xi$ a vector of firm-level covariates. Robust standard errors were employed.", "findings": "The intervention significantly increased the likelihood of adoption. The adjusted odds ratio for the treatment effect was 3.45 (95% CI: 1.82 to 6.54). Approximately 68% of firms in the intervention group became active users, compared to 28% in the control group. Firm size and prior digital tool experience were positive, significant predictors.", "conclusion": "Targeted training and access provision can substantially increase the adoption of process-control technologies among structural engineers in this context, though pre-existing organisational capacity moderates this effect.", "recommendations": "Implementation programmes should couple technology provision with structured, practical training. Policymakers and professional bodies should consider subsidising initial access for smaller firms to bridge the digital divide.", "key words": "technology adoption, randomised controlled trial, digital construction, process innovation, West Africa", "contribution statement": "This paper provides the first experimental evidence on the efficacy of a specific intervention package for boosting