Mining professional discourse for innovation signals in construction technology: a supervised topic modeling study

Abstract

Purpose The engagement of technology users, providers and investors plays a vital role in shaping innovation pathways within the construction industry. As digital platforms increasingly host professional discussions on emerging technologies, analyzing these narratives is essential for understanding how adoption and investment trends develop. This paper aims to examine how discourse in the construction technology (ConTech) ecosystem reflects funding trends and how firms strategically position themselves. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts an exploratory, abductive mixed-methods approach combining BERTopic-based topic modelling, network analysis and qualitative synthesis. Automated topic detection is complemented by author refinement to identify key themes and priorities in professional digital conversations. Data was collected through purposive sampling from eight construction technology platforms, including institutional websites and LinkedIn blogs authored by verified ConTech professionals. The analysis was conducted in Python using BERTopic and network analysis tools. Findings Knowledge spillovers cluster around 13 coherent topics, with “Venture Capital Strategies and Trends” emerging as the most prominent, underscoring the central role of investment discourse in shaping innovation trajectories. Network analysis confirms this focus, identifying “venture capital” as the most influential connective term across themes. Other key topics include “Robotic Solutions in Construction” and “AEC Digital Innovation and Technology Adoption.” The findings of this study reveal opportunities and persistent barriers to adoption related to integration, compatibility and risk, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration, role clarity and viable business models. Originality/value This study reveals how funding-related discourse coordinates digital transformation in construction by shaping legitimacy, strategic priorities and technology adoption. By mapping discursive centrality and thematic brokerage, it uncovers emerging innovation directions that conventional taxonomies overlook, offering actionable insights for firms, investors and technology startups.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Construction Innovation, 2026 · DOI ↗