Short answer
Focus on user education and support as a core component of technology design and implementation, rather than assuming users will readily adapt.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Human Technology (2025)
- Method
- Quantitative survey analysis
- Sample
- 20 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Real estate professionals' insufficient knowledge of property technology (PropTech) significantly hinders its adoption, suggesting that human factors are more critical than the technology itself. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Human Technology. Using Quantitative survey analysis with 20 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus on user education and support as a core component of technology design and implementation, rather than assuming users will readily adapt.
Low PropTech Knowledge is the Primary Barrier to Real Estate Technology Adoption
Real estate professionals' insufficient knowledge of property technology (PropTech) significantly hinders its adoption, suggesting that human factors are more critical than the technology itself.
Human Technology · 2025
Key Findings
- 01PropTech is primarily used to enhance people-intensive functions like marketing, customer relations, and contract administration, augmenting rather than replacing human interaction.
- 02The most significant barriers to PropTech adoption are human- and knowledge-based, including insufficient investment capital, legal ambiguity, and critically, low PropTech knowledge among employees.
- 03Technology adoption is strongly moderated by personnel availability, professional knowledge, and learning processes, not solely by the technology's advancement.
Application
Design takeaway
Focus on user education and support as a core component of technology design and implementation, rather than assuming users will readily adapt.
How to apply
When introducing new digital tools, conduct thorough user training and provide ongoing support to address knowledge gaps and build confidence.
Project actions
- 01When researching a new technology, consider not just its features but also the typical user's skill level and the support available.
- 02Investigate how training and knowledge transfer can be integrated into the design process for user adoption.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Applies a relevant theoretical framework (HTO perspective).
- +Provides practical implications for HR and training departments.
Limitations
A small sample size might mean the findings are specific to the group studied and may not apply everywhere.
Reliability & validity
The use of RII provides a quantitative measure, but the small sample size and potential for self-reporting bias could affect reliability and validity.
Think critically
To what extent can technology be designed to be 'self-teaching' or inherently intuitive to overcome user knowledge deficits?
Design Principles
"Technology adoption is contingent upon user proficiency and organizational support systems."
Understanding the human element in technology adoption is crucial for successful implementation. This research highlights that investing in training and knowledge dissemination is paramount for organizations looking to leverage new digital tools effectively.
What This Means for Your Design
People don't adopt new technology if they don't know how to use it or feel unsure about it. For real estate, this means training staff is more important than just buying new software.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user training and knowledge transfer in your design process, especially if your project involves new or complex technologies.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The adoption of new technologies, such as PropTech in the real estate sector, is significantly influenced by human factors, particularly the knowledge and readiness of the workforce. Research indicates that a deficit in user knowledge is a primary barrier, underscoring the need for targeted training and knowledge dissemination to ensure successful integration and utilization of digital tools.
Source
Human Technology
Human factors in PropTech adoption: Professional readiness and organisational challenges in Baltic real estate
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about low proptech knowledge is the primary barrier to real estate technology adoption?
- Focus on user education and support as a core component of technology design and implementation, rather than assuming users will readily adapt. Evidence: Human Technology (2025).
- Why does "Low PropTech Knowledge is the Primary Barrier to Real Estate Technology Adoption" matter for design?
- Understanding the human element in technology adoption is crucial for successful implementation. This research highlights that investing in training and knowledge dissemination is paramount for organizations looking to leverage new digital tools effectively.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Focus on user education and support as a core component of technology design and implementation, rather than assuming users will readily adapt.
- What were the main findings?
- PropTech is primarily used to enhance people-intensive functions like marketing, customer relations, and contract administration, augmenting rather than replacing human interaction.. The most significant barriers to PropTech adoption are human- and knowledge-based, including insufficient investment capital, legal ambiguity, and critically, low PropTech knowledge among employees.. Technology adoption is strongly moderated by personnel availability, professional knowledge, and learning processes, not solely by the technology's advancement.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative survey analysis with 20 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Human Technology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When introducing new digital tools, conduct thorough user training and provide ongoing support to address knowledge gaps and build confidence.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's small sample size (20 participants) may limit the generalizability of findings to the broader real estate industry.