scholarly journals Investigating major challenges for industry 4.0 adoption among construction companies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevilay Demirkesen ◽  
Algan Tezel
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Construction Organizations

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the challenges hindering the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) among construction companies.Design/methodology/approachThe construction industry needs innovative technologies due to its complex and dynamic nature. In this respect, the latest trends such as digitalization, building information modeling (BIM), Internet of things (IoT) are of utmost importance in terms of fostering the change in managing projects and encouraging industry practitioners to adopt the change for better performance. This paper focuses on I4.0adoption among construction companies. In this respect, a questionnaire was designed and administered to construction professionals to reveal the challenges in I4.0 adoption among construction firms. The respondents were requested to fill in the questionnaire on the I4.0 efforts of their companies. The questionnaire was intended to collect the perceptions of industry practitioners working at large construction companies. Based on these, the challenges listed were ranked based on their relative importance and success indices. Finally, the Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to test whether statistically significant responses exist among groups of respondents (i.e. young and old companies, large and small, high and low revenue and main area of expertise).FindingsThe results of the study indicated that resistance to change, unclear benefits and gains and cost of implementation are the major important challenges in terms of I4.0 adoption in construction projects. On the other hand, the data analysis implied that the majority of construction organizations successfully deal with the problems arising from lack of standardization, legal and contractual issues and cost of implementing in terms of promoting I4.0 adoption.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is expected to guide construction practitioners in terms of benefitting from I4.0 applications and deliver projects with better outcomes. This study might be used as a guide for the companies aiming to start their I4.0 transformation knowing the challenges and develop strategies for how to handle them. A concrete plan would help them achieve greater performance and benefit from the I4.0 implementation at the maximum level. Finally, the study implies that construction firms shall prepare action plans for handling each challenge listed and monitor their performance based on the planned and actual data of their projects.Originality/valueThis study investigates the major challenges of I4.0 among construction companies. This is one of the important studies, which puts I4.0 focus forefront of the construction industry with a clear identification of challenges that construction organizations have to address to transform their organizations into construction 4.0. The study has the potential to guide both industry practitioners and researchers to develop awareness for the benefits of using the latest technology and fostering innovation. This is expected to create value for construction clients in terms of achieving the product with serious gains such as time and cost.

An assessment of the readiness of construction firms for international construction joint ventures (ICJVs) using the VERDICT model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Akunyumu ◽  
Frank D.K. Fugar ◽  
Emmanuel Adinyira
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Technology Infrastructure ◽  
Commitment To Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Construction Joint ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
International Construction ◽  
Construction Organizations

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of construction companies in Ghana to partner with foreign companies in international construction joint ventures (ICJVs). Design/methodology/approach Using the Verify End-User e-Readiness using a Diagnostic Tool (VERDICT) model, a survey with 31 construction companies was conducted to assess their readiness through four pre-defined elements of readiness. Findings The results indicated the readiness of construction companies to collaborate with potential foreign partners in ICJVs. Notwithstanding, certain areas such as management commitment to change, employee buy-in, process flexibility and technology infrastructure need improvement in some firms to achieve readiness. Government has a role in ensuring the readiness of domestic firms for the international market. Originality/value This study applies the VERDICT model, a tool originally designed to assess construction organizations’ readiness for e-commerce, to assess the readiness of Ghanaian construction companies for ICJVs.

BIM in the Saudi Arabian construction industry: state of the art, benefit and barriers

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Al-Yami ◽  
Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Although there is a boom in the construction industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), it is yet to fully adopt building information modeling (BIM), which has received a lot of attention in the US, UK and Australian construction industries. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide the current state of the art in BIM implementation in Saudi Arabia, as well as perceived benefits and barriers through a case study. Design/methodology/approach A broad overview of BIM, the construction industry in KSA and the research and implementation of BIM in KSA was presented in this study. The research further established the perceived benefits and barriers of BIM implementation through a case study of a local AEC firm. A questionnaire survey was used to obtain lessons learned from the BIM team of the pilot project and was further analyzed using the RII approach. Findings The study’s findings include the lack of policy initiatives in KSA to enforce BIM in the construction industry, as well as the lack of sufficient research in the domain of BIM in KSA. Furthermore, the case study also revealed that the most important benefit of BIM adoption is “detection of inter-disciplinary conflicts in the drawings to reduce error, maintain design intent, control quality and speed up communication,” whereas the most important barrier is “the need for re-engineering many construction projects for successful transition towards BIM.” Originality/value The study provides a background for enhanced research towards the implementation of BIM in Saudi Arabia and also demonstrates the potential benefits and barriers in BIM implementation.

Reducing waste to landfill in the UK: identifying impediments and critical solutions

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukumon O. Oyedele ◽  
Martin Regan ◽  
Jason von Meding ◽  
Ashraf Ahmed ◽  
Obas John Ebohon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Early Communication ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Critical Solutions ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThe UK construction industry produces up to one third of all waste to landfill. This study aims to identify specific project practices impeding the reduction of waste in construction projects as well as uncovering potential waste solutions throughout the project delivery process. The rationale being that for such a drastic reduction in waste to landfill, holistic and extensive measures would be required.Design/methodology/approachA two‐way methodological approach was used. This comprised qualitative unstructured interviews and a quantitative questionnaire survey of three major stakeholders in the UK construction industry: clients, architects and contractors.FindingsDesign factors remain the major cause of impediments to waste reduction to landfill. Critical impediments include clients making waste prevention a top priority in projects, overly complex designs, waste taking a low priority compared to project time and costs, lack of concerns by designers for buildability, among others. Critical solutions include early supply chain involvement in design process, choosing materials for their durability, early communication of design changes to all parties, longer project programmes and better lead times, among others.Practical implicationsIn all, the target of halving construction waste to landfill based on the 2008 benchmark is achievable but would require construction companies to take it upon themselves to implement the proposed solutions suggested by this study.Originality/valueThe value of this research is to provide UK construction companies with solutions to reduce waste and aid the reaching of the landfill target, as landfill is decreasing as a solution to waste. In addition the cost savings on reducing waste could be crucial for companies in this current economic climate.

Embracing sustainability practices in UK construction organizations

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Opoku ◽  
Vian Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Organizational Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Organizations ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – Adopting sustainable construction practices minimizes the overall environmental impact of the built asset throughout its whole life. Currently, there is demand from key stakeholders in the construction industry for organization to deliver sustainable built environment, however, leaders/champions within construction organizations charged with the adoption of sustainable construction practices face many challenges. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an investigation into the challenges facing intra-organizational leaders charged with the promotion of sustainable construction practices. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interview with 15 leaders, followed by an industry-wide survey of 200 intra-organizational leaders in contractor and consultant organizations in the UK construction industry. Findings – The results revealed that increased capital cost is the most significant challenge facing construction organizations in attempt to adopt sustainability practices in the delivery of construction projects. Originality/value – This study provides the empirical evidence linking leadership within construction organizations and sustainability; filling the gap in literature and serving as a source of reference material for higher education programmes in the built environment.

scholarly journals Strategic framework for implementing smart devices in the construction industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-243
Author(s):  
Manuel Alexander Silverio-Fernández ◽  
Suresh Renukappa ◽  
Subashini Suresh
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Smart Devices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Framework ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The decentralisation of information and high rate of mobile content access in the construction industry provide an ideal scenario for improvement of processes via the implementation of the paradigm of the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart devices are considered as the objects interconnected in the IoT; therefore, they play a fundamental role in the digital transformation of the construction industry. Currently, there is a lack of guidelines regarding the implementation of smart devices for digitalisation in the construction industry. Consequently, this paper aims to provide a set of guidelines for implementing smart devices in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach An empirical study was performed in the UK and the Dominican Republic (DR). Following a systematic approach, qualitative data collection and analysis was performed based on semi-structured interviews involving professionals from construction companies in the UK and the DR. Interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed using Microsoft Word and exported to the software NVivo, where the software was used to find common thematic nodes across all interviews. Findings The findings encompass drivers, challenges and critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing smart devices in construction project. For both countries, the top five CSFs were leadership, staff training, culture, technology awareness and cost of implementation. These findings were used to develop a strategic framework for implementing smart devices in construction companies. The framework establishes the actors, elements and actions to be considered by construction companies when implementing smart devices. Originality/value This paper provides a richer insight into the understanding and awareness of implementing smart devices. A strategic framework for implementing smart devices in the construction industry and providing guidelines for adopting smart devices in construction projects was developed and validated. This study provides a better understanding of the key factors to be considered by construction companies when embedding smart devices into their projects.

scholarly journals Challenges and Issues Involved in Adopting Lean and Bim in Construction

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 2873-2878
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Construction Techniques ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Intelligent Model ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

Lean Construction techniques have been introduced as an alternative way for conventional construction process in 1990’s.. It is described as a process of eliminating waste, increasing worth and value, and meeting or extraordinary client necessities and requirements. Waste reduction and customer value satisfaction are important factors to be considered in implementing construction projects. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent model based process. BIM implementation seems to more advantageous in construction industry, for instance, it makes use of visualization technique of a product to facilitate architecture, engineering and construction professionals to effectively plan, design and manage infrastructure. Review of literature is administered and a survey is conducted to identify major issues involved in adopting Lean and BIM in construction sector. The present study depends mostly on the survey questionnaires from building professionals. Totally forty construction companies were selected for the questionnaire survey. The results obtained were analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The outcome of the study indicates that Lean and BIM implementation is necessary for allocation of resources, quality improvement and it enhances the sustainability of building and also it signifies that there is a shortage in lack of awareness, lack of framework and professionals.

Digital technology utilisation decisions for facilitating the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samad M.E. Sepasgozar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adoption Decision ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Multi Stage

Purpose Emerging Construction Industry 4.0 technologies raise serious questions for construction companies when deciding whether to adopt or reject emerging technologies. Vendors seek to understand what factors are involved in how construction companies make these decisions and how they might vary across different companies. This paper aims to present a systematic, technology adoption decision-making framework for the construction industry which includes the key steps required for the final decision being made by companies up to the commencement of the operation of the technology. Design/methodology/approach A total of 123 experienced practitioners were interviewed to identify a broad range of tasks relevant to decision-making. Participants known as customers or vendors were chosen to validate the findings of each group by using data triangulation methods. A systematic thematic analysis method was applied in the NVivo environment to analyse the data. Findings This study identifies the active role of vendors who need to understand how their customers arrive at decisions to increase the rate of technology adoption. This paper also provides insights to new companies and late adopters (reported greater than 50%) about how others arrived at their decisions. Originality/value Unlike other technology adoption models, this paper investigates vendors’ corresponding interactions during the decision-making process. This paper also goes beyond previous studies, which focussed on the individual customer’s intention to use a specific technology at a single-stage by developing a multi-stage framework to enable understanding the details of the decision process at the organisational level.

The effect of the client–contractor relationship on project performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milind Jagtap ◽  
Sachin Kamble
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Relationship Commitment ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is first to examine the effect of client-led and contractor-led supply chain initiatives on project performance in the Indian construction industry and second to assess how the client-led supply chain initiatives complement the contractor-led supply chain initiatives. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the effects of the client-led supply chain initiatives (reward power and competence trust of the construction clients) and the contractor-led supply chain initiatives (contractor integration and calculative commitment of the contractor) on project performance in construction projects are examined. The data were collected from 346 construction professionals working in Indian construction projects using purposive sampling. The proposed hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The contractor-led supply chain initiatives, in the form of contractor integration and the calculative relationship commitment of a contractor, were found to be strong mediators, indirectly affecting the project performance. On the other hand, the client-led supply chain initiatives, in the form of the reward power of the client and the competence trust of the client, directly influence the project performance. Research limitations/implications This study reports the inevitable bias on the part of participants, who responded to the survey either in the capacity of client or contractor, although they might have executed projects in both capacities. Future studies could benefit from the use of objective data instead of behavioral data. Practical implications This study helps construction firms understand how to demarcate the client and contractor roles in the construction supply chain to improve the project performance. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its investigation of the influence of client-led supply chain initiatives and contractor-led supply chain initiatives on project performance.

Implementation of technologies in the construction industry: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xichen Chen ◽  
Alice Yan Chang-Richards ◽  
Antony Pelosi ◽  
Yaodong Jia ◽  
Xuesong Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Data Acquisition ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Holistic Understanding

PurposeWith interest in modern construction methods and new technologies on the rise, construction companies globally are increasingly looking at how to embrace new ideas and engage with new approaches to do things better. A significant amount of work has been carried out investigating the use of individual technologies in the construction sector. However, there is no holistic understanding of the new and emerging technologies that have had proven benefits for construction projects. To fill this gap, this paper aims to provide a landscape of technologies that have been implemented in the construction industry and the benefits associated with their implementation.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review approach and PRISMA guidelines were used. A total of 175 articles published between 2001 and 2020 were identified and thoroughly reviewed.FindingsThe results show that a total of 26 technologies were identified from the literature, and these can be categorised into five groups in terms of their functionality in construction process, namely: (1) data acquisition, (2) analytics, (3) visualisation, (4) communication and (5) design and construction automation. Digital technologies, especially for data acquisition and visualisation, generally appear to underpin and enable innovation in many aspects of construction. Improvements in work efficiency, health and safety, productivity, quality and sustainability have been cited as being the primary benefits of using these technologies. Of these, building information modelling (BIM) appears to be the single most commonly used technology thus far. With the development of computer technology, BIM has constantly been used in combination with other technologies/tools such as unmanned aerial vehicles/systems (unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)/UAS), geographic information systems (GIS), light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multidimensional modelling to realise a specifically defined benefit.Practical implicationsThe findings from this review would help construction practitioners identify the types of technologies that can be implemented in different stages of construction projects to achieve desired outcomes, and thus, make appropriate decisions on technology investment and adoption. This review also suggests that to reap the full potential that these technologies offer, aside from construction companies changing their culture and business models, corresponding changes in the construction sector’s operating systems related to building regulation, education and training, as well as contracting and procurement are required.Originality/valueThis paper undertakes a comprehensive systematic review of studies on technology implementation in the construction sector published between 2001 and 2020. It is the first attempt internationally to provide a holistic picture of technologies that have been studied and implemented in construction projects.

EXPLORING BARRIERS IN IMPLEMENTING BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghanim A. Bekr
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Information Modeling ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University

This study involves with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and exploring the reasons behind the slow speed of implementing this method in the construction industry in developing countries in general and Jordan in specific. The aim of the research was achieved through a survey which considered 15 barrier factors and 13 driving factors. The study revealed that the level of BIM implementation in construction projects is generally low. In addition, the significant barriers affecting the adoption of BIM are lack of qualified staff to operate the software, difficulty learning BIM, the existing system fulfils the need, resistance to change and uncertainties concerning return on investment of BIM. Also, the study pointed out the most important factors that could help implementing BIM in the Jordanian construction industry. These are providing BIM training program, introducing BIM in the university curriculum and providing the efforts by the government to push implementation of BIM in their projects. Finally, the paper presented some recommendations if followed the level of (BIM) implementation in this country may be improved.

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