Investigating digital technological competencies amongst Black Asian Minority Ethnic construction students in the UK

Balogun, TB; Awonuga, O; Abowen-Dake, R

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to investigate Digital Technology (DT) competencies, training and
awareness amongst Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) construction student in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a quantitative online survey to investigate both
BAME Construction Undergraduates Graduate Students (CUGS) and staff studying on and teaching
on Construction programmes. The investigation examined their opinions as to their own awareness
of their competencies and training regarding DT.
Findings – Findings indicate that BAME CUGS were mostly “very proficient” in the use of basic DT,
such as required to complete an authentic assessment that typifies a real-life scenario. For example,
sending and receiving emails, excel, word, computer literacy/basic IT skills, browsing searching
materials, Powerpoint, specialist IT skills, mobile devices, tablet and social media handles. However,
findings revealed that training awareness and competencies in new DT is shallow, and BAME CUGS
are probably not ready for the digitalised construction world. Respondents were mainly within the
“probably aware” range, and very few were within the “definitely aware” range, on the Likert scale
adopted. New DTs that fell within the “definitely aware” range are BIM, offsite construction and
manufacturing, 3D printing, cloud computing and collaboration.
Originality/value – The study provides valuable recommendations useful for Higher Education (HE)
institutions, industry, and government. Recommendations provided include a need to review and
update the current curriculum, robust partnership between academia and industry, increase
government funding, upskilling and training staff in the new DT.
Research limitations/implications – It is acknowledged that expanding the sample size to other
universities and exploring BAME industry professionals' narratives could further enrich the
discussion. However, these limitations did not impact the robust practical and theoretical
implications provided to CUGS, HE sectors, University staff, and industry emerging from the analysis
and findings achieved in the study. Still, it is being recommended for future work to consider.

Citation

Balogun, T., Awonuga, O., & Abowen-Dake, R. (2021). Investigating digital technological competencies amongst Black Asian Minority Ethnic construction students in the UK. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-08-2021-0449

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 17, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Nov 8, 2021
• Publication Date: Nov 8, 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
• Print ISSN: 1726-0531
• Publisher: Emerald
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-08-2021-0449
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-08-2021-0449
• Related Public URLs: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/jedt