First Advisor

Tugrul U. Daim

Term of Graduation

Spring 2026

Date of Publication

6-8-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Technology Management

Department

Engineering and Technology Management

Language

English

Subjects

Nanotechnology, Sustainable Building Design

Physical Description

1 online resource (xv, 449 pages)

Abstract

Nanotechnology is emerging as a promising innovation in sustainable architectural design, although its adoption remains slow. Research highlights the advantages of incorporating nanotechnologies in architecture, including improved material performance, enhanced thermal efficiency, reduced energy consumption, improved durability, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These advantages make nanomaterials a promising solution for sustainable building design, particularly in hot-climate regions where energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with conventional building design practices remain major concerns.

Despite this potential, nanotechnology adoption in architecture faces several challenges, including limited real-world applications, slow diffusion in practice, and persistent organizational, economic, and regulatory barriers. The literature lacks a comprehensive assessment of architectural companies' readiness to adopt nanotechnology from multiple perspectives. Therefore, the objective of this research is to develop a systematic assessment model to evaluate architectural companies' readiness to adopt nanotechnology in sustainable building design practice.

In this research, a comprehensive literature review and expert feedback were used to identify the key factors influencing the adoption of nanotechnology in sustainable building design. Then, the Hierarchical Decision Modeling (HDM) methodology was used to obtain experts' judgments to evaluate the relative importance of key perspectives and criteria influencing nanotechnology adoption. This method is structured across four levels: the overall objective, key perspectives, underlying criteria, and potential alternatives. Following validation, the model was quantified by additional subject matter- experts through pairwise comparisons, enabling the assignment of relative weights to each perspective and criterion. To evaluate readiness more accurately, experts applied desirability curve metrics to score each criterion, enabling the assessment of architectural companies' readiness. The use of desirability curves also enhances model flexibility by enabling the integration of additional alternatives or decision scenarios as needed. The research identified and ranked 20 critical criteria influencing architectural companies' readiness for adopting nanotechnology, organized into five perspectives: architectural organizations, environmental, economic, social support, and regulatory. These perspectives provide a framework for evaluating readiness.

To demonstrate the assessment model's practical value and alignment with the research objective, two case studies involving architectural companies in Saudi Arabia are presented. These case studies illustrate how architectural companies can use the model to assess their current capabilities, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and develop recommendations for areas of improvement based on the desirability curves. The goal is to help architectural companies identify and address potential gaps before implementation, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful nanotechnology adoption in sustainable building design practice.

Rights

© 2026 Ashwaq Essa Al Khalil

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44831

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