Enhancing construction project outcomes through mediated organizational performance in cloud computing adoption

This study investigates how cloud computing adoption influences construction project success (CPS), with a specific focus on the mediating role of organisational performance (OP) in the Pakistani construction sector. A quantitative research design was employed using a structured questionnaire distributed to construction professionals. A total of 214 valid responses were analyzed (response rate: 85.6%). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to evaluate direct and indirect relationships among cloud computing dimensions, OP, and CPS. Cloud computing was operationalized through four validated dimensions Flexibility & Accessibility (FA), Reliability & Availability (RA), Security & Scalability (SS), and Collaboration & Productivity (CP). The analysis tested direct effects on CPS and OP, as well as OP’s mediating influence. FA (β = 0.54), RA (β = 0.215), SS (β = 0.159), and CP (β = 0.355) showed significant positive effects on CPS. FA (β = 0.299), RA (β = 0.165), and SS (β = 0.172) significantly improved OP, while CP did not. Mediation analysis confirmed that OP significantly mediated the effects of FA, RA, and SS on CPS (p < 0.05), but not CP. The model demonstrated high explanatory power for CPS (R² = 0.901) and moderate explanatory power for OP (R² = 0.411). Cloud computing enhances construction project outcomes both directly and indirectly through improved organisational performance. Flexibility, reliability, and security are the strongest enablers of project success in digital construction environments. The findings provide evidence for construction firms and policymakers in developing economies to prioritise cloud-enabled digital strategies, strengthen organisational capabilities, and address infrastructure and governance barriers to maximise cloud computing benefits.