Defence date: 09.03.2021
PhD thesis title: Designing for disruption: Exploring how digital technologies affect the future of construction
This thesis explores how digital technologies may disrupt the construction sector. It builds on four interconnected studies: A) A horizon scanning that identifies 133 potentially disruptive technologies. B) A literature-based analysis revealing
to which extent disruption theory applies to a construction sector context. C) The identification of three future visions for a digitally transformed construction sector, based on interviews with 13 innovation-savvy construction professionals. D) The development of a design game, called the Technology Cards, which facilitates future-oriented, strategic dialogues on the potential of 22 selected technologies.
Synthesising the four studies, the thesis proposes that construction companies benefit from applying inclusive, long-term-oriented foresight methods to prepare for disruptive change. The thesis provides recommendations for established construction companies to realise the emerging benefits of digital technologies, hereby enabling a democratic and deliberate digital transformation of construction.
Further information: www.technologycards.net
Supervisors:
Anja Maier, DTU Management, Engineering Systems Design
Christian Thuesen, DTU Management, Engineering Systems Design
Laurids Rolighed Larsen, NIRAS A/S
Examiners:
Dr Marianne Guldbrandsen, Scaleringschef Systems Innovation, Rockwool Fonden
Assistant Professor Daniel Hall, ETH zurich
Professor Per Dannemand Andersen, DTU Management
Chairperson at the defence:
Associate Professor Jan Karlshøj, DTU Civil Engineering