DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FRAMEWORKS FOR SMART REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

Abstract

This study developed and validated a lifecycle-aligned quantitative framework for digital transformation in smart real estate development within emerging economies. The conceptual model was synthesized from a structured review of the digital transformation, PropTech, smart-building, and built-environment literature, drawing on an illustrative total of 72 peer-reviewed papers (replace with the exact count used in this study) to consolidate constructs, indicators, and tested relationships into a unified hypothesis map. Digital transformation intensity was modeled as a higher-order capability system integrating lifecycle digitization, cyber–physical smart-asset capability, data and AI capability, digital-twin integration, platformization, and organizational enablers. A cross-sectional survey of real estate developers, asset owners, property managers, and PropTech firms across emerging-economy cities produced an illustrative usable sample of n = 300 (replace with actual n). Measurement assessment showed strong internal consistency and convergent validity, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from .82 to .92, composite reliability from .87 to .93, and AVE from .58 to .74 (replace with actual ranges), while discriminant validity remained acceptable as HTMT values stayed below .80 (replace with actual maximum HTMT). Structural results indicated that digital transformation intensity positively predicted all three outcome domains. Direct paths were statistically significant with β = .50 for project efficiency, β = .56 for asset performance, and β = .59 for market/platform outcomes (replace with actual βs, all p < .05). The model explained meaningful variance in performance, with R² = .25 for project efficiency, R² = .32 for asset performance, and R² = .35 for market/platform outcomes (replace with actual R² values). Bootstrapped mediation tests confirmed significant indirect effects through datafication, automation/AI use, digital-twin integration, and platform utilization, with illustrative indirect coefficients ranging from β = .13 to .21 (replace with actual indirect effects, p < .05), indicating partial mediation. Contextual moderators—infrastructure readiness, regulatory quality, fintech inclusion, ecosystem maturity, and trust climate—strengthened DT–outcome relationships, with illustrative interaction effects between β = .07 and .12 (replace with actual interaction βs, p < .05). Overall, results showed that smart real estate performance in emerging economies was best explained by integrated digital transformation intensity operating through data continuity, automation, simulation capability, and platform use under context-dependent boundary conditions.