Strategic Implementation of Technology Adoption in Developing Economies: An Integrated DIT-TAM Model of Government Mandate Effectiveness in Malaysia.
Abstract
Technology adoption in developing economies is often driven by government mandates, yet the extent to which such mandates translate into sustained implementation remains insufficiently understood. This study examines the strategic implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Malaysia using an integrated framework of Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DIT) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The study evaluates how government mandates interact with organizational, technological, and perceptual factors to influence BIM adoption and implementation. A survey of 562 Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professionals was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicate strong upstream effects of external variables (organizational culture, people readiness, technology capability, and government policies) on DIT and TAM constructs (β = 0.487–0.546, p < 0.001). Among diffusion attributes, trialability had the strongest effect on BIM adoption (β = 0.273), followed by observability (β = 0.239) and compatibility (β = 0.199), accounting for 30.8% of the variance in adoption (R² = 0.308). Perceived ease of use (β = 0.512) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.474) significantly predicted BIM usage intention, accounting for 66.1% of its variance (R² = 0.661). However, downstream effects on implementation were modest: usage intention (β = 0.255), adoption (β = 0.164), and government policies (β = 0.226) explained only 24.5% of the variance in implementation (R² = 0.245). Effect sizes further revealed strong perceptual impacts but weak direct policy influence on implementation (f² = 0.053), indicating an implementation gap. The findings reveal a “mandate paradox”: policies shape perceptions but do not adequately drive implementation, underscoring the need for supportive enforcement, usability enhancements, and sustained capacity building.