Digital Transformation in Quantity Surveying: Implications for Employability and Professional Ethics

Digital transformation is reshaping the quantity surveying (QS) discipline, with significant implications for employability and ethical responsibility. This study empirically examines the perceived impact of digital technologies on professional relevance, skill requirements and ethical considerations among quantity surveyors in South Africa. An explanatory mixed-method design was adopted, utilising a semi-structured survey administered to practising professionals. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, while qualitative responses were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings suggest that digital competence is increasingly central to employability, with respondents strongly affirming the importance of ICT skills for sustaining professional relevance. Continuous upskilling has become a necessary condition for participation in the evolving digital construction environment. In addition, ethical considerations are prominent, particularly in relation to data security, confidentiality, intellectual property and accountability within digitally integrated workflows. Notably, no statistically significant differences were observed across demographic groups, suggesting that the effects of digital transformation are uniformly experienced across the profession. By connecting digital transformation to employability and ethical behaviour in a South African setting, the study provides empirical insight on an underexplored issue. It concludes that digital technologies are augmenting rather than displacing the QS role, necessitating a reconfiguration of professional competencies that integrates digital proficiency with ethical judgement and continuous learning.