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The challenges of adopting emerging technologies in the AEC industry a literature review and bibliometric analysis
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify and provide a theoretical explanation for the barriers that hinder the adoption of emerging technologies in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, irrespective of the company’s size, specialization or geographical location. In addition, the paper proposes potential areas for future research in this domain.
Design/methodology/approach
A list of barriers hindering the adoption of emerging technologies was identified and clarified using a systematic literature review of various scientific sources.
Findings
Twenty-five barriers were recognized and explained and some suggestions for future research studies were provided.
Research limitations/implications
The barriers related to a specific country or region or to a specific technology were excluded.
Originality/value
By providing a deeper comprehension of the barriers hindering the adoption of emerging technologies, this review is expected to encourage their adoption in the industry. Furthermore, it could prove valuable in devising effective strategies for the successful implementation of these technologies.
... Siddiqui et al. (2023) developed a taxonomy of current and needed skills to support digital transformation in construction, aligning with the Construction 4.0 framework but categorized more broadly (e.g., automation, coding, data integration). Similarly, Eriqat et al. (2024) conducted a literature and bibliometric analysis to identify 25 barriers to the adoption of emerging technologies in construction. Despite their importance, neither of these studies shed light on the dominant methods or trends researchers are using when investigating technology use in construction education or teaching strategies. ...
The high volume of information produced by project management and its quality have become a challenge for organizations. Due to this, emerging technologies such as big data, data science and artificial intelligence (ETs) have become an alternative in the project life cycle. This article aims to present a systematic review of the literature on the use of these technologies in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. A methodology of collection, purification, evaluation, bibliometric, and categorical analysis was used. A total of 224 articles were found, which, using the PRISMA method, finally generated 57 articles. The categorical analysis focused on determining the technologies used, the most common methodologies, the most-discussed project management areas, and the contributions to the AEC industry. The review found that there is international leadership by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The type of research most used is quantitative. The areas of knowledge where ETs are most used are Cost, Quality, Time, and Scope. Finally, among the most outstanding contributions are as follows: prediction in the development of projects, the identification of critical factors, the detailed identification of risks, the optimization of planning, the automation of tasks, and the increase in efficiency; all of these to facilitate management decision making.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful technology with a range of capabilities, which
are beginning to become apparent in all industries nowadays. The increased popularity of AI in the construction industry, however, is rather limited in comparison to other industry sectors. Moreover, despite AI being a hot topic in built environment research, there are limited review studies that investigate the reasons for the low-level AI adoption in the construction industry. This study aims to reduce this gap by identifying the adoption challenges of AI, along with the opportunities offered, for the construction industry. To achieve the aim, the study adopts a systematic literature review approach using the PRISMA protocol. In addition, the systematic review of the literature focuses on the planning, design, and construction stages of the construction project lifecycle. The results of the review reveal that (a) AI is particularly beneficial in the planning stage as the success of construction projects depends on accurate events, risks, and cost forecasting; (b) the major opportunity in adopting AI is to reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks by using big data analytics and improving the work processes; and (c) the biggest challenge to incorporate AI on a construction site is the fragmented nature of the industry, which has resulted in issues of data acquisition and retention. The findings of the study inform a range of parties that operate in the construction industry concerning the opportunities and challenges of AI adaptability and help increase the market acceptance of AI practices.
The field of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) is continually striving to use resources efficiently and manage complex processes. Now more than ever, there is a strong need for digital transformation in AEC. The improvement in the accessibility of consumer-based head-mounted displays (HMD) is attracting different entertainment and research fields to immersive virtual reality (VR) applications. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is known as a promising technology in AEC. The full potential of BIM is not yet employed to empower this field, however, and this could be a result of some barriers still to be surmounted by BIM in both technological and management perspectives. One of these barriers is the communication and collaboration between design, construction, operation, and maintenance phases. VR can fill this gap by providing additional capabilities for BIM which either were not available before or were not possible to employ in practical ways. In this paper, we systematically review recent research around the application of VR in BIM and discuss the results using the PRISMA flowchart. We discuss the most commonly used technologies, software, and evaluation methods and the various applications of VR in the reviewed papers. Finally, we extend the discussion by summarizing the potential future work in this area.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers significant opportunities for construction management as it provides an effective method for design and documentation, supports communication and collaboration, and enhances the most important factors of a project (time, cost, and quality). The aim of this study is to investigate the barriers to BIM implementation at AEC (architecture, management, construction, and quantity survey) companies in Jordan, and to look at the similarities and differences in perceptions on the significance of these barriers between respondents from different AEC companies. To accomplish these objectives, a questionnaire survey was created to gather feedback on the 20 major barriers to BIM implementation identified through a comprehensive literature review. The top significant barriers were identified using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mean value; and to assess variances between respondents in the four AEC firms, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. From this, it was concluded that the "cost of training", "cost of BIM software", "insufficient BIM technical knowledge and awareness", "lack of adequate BIM guidelines", and "huge BIM up frontal investment" are the key barriers affecting the BIM implementation in Jordanian AEC companies. Considering this, this study provides an important step towards better understanding the implementation of BIM in Jordan.
As a revolutionary technology, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is attracting increasing interest in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), with outstanding advantages, such as highly automated, non-contact operation and efficient large-scale sampling capability. TLS has extended a new approach to capturing extremely comprehensive data of the construction environment, providing detailed information for further analysis. This paper presents a systematic review based on scientometric and qualitative analysis to summarize the progress and the current status of the topic and to point out promising research efforts. To begin with, a brief understanding of TLS is provided. Following the selection of relevant papers through a literature search, a scientometric analysis of papers is carried out. Then, major applications are categorized and presented, including (1) 3D model reconstruction, (2) object recognition, (3) deformation measurement, (4) quality assessment, and (5) progress tracking. For widespread adoption and effective use of TLS, essential problems impacting working effects in application are summarized as follows: workflow, data quality, scan planning, and data processing. Finally, future research directions are suggested, including: (1) cost control of hardware and software, (2) improvement of data processing capability, (3) automatic scan planning, (4) integration of digital technologies, (5) adoption of artificial intelligence.
The adoption of Big Data (BD) in the construction industry has been identified as a possible solution to the demand of the current needs of projects, but the integration of this technology has proven to be a challenge specially in industries such as construction that are not technological driven. The understanding of the key elements for the BD adoption has become the focus of many industries that seek to exploit the benefits offered by this technology. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the challenges faced by the adoption of BD in the Dominican Republic (DR) construction industry. To identify these challenges qualitative research was undertaken due to the paucity of scientific data. Twenty-one individuals representing 19 companies who have great impact in the DR construction sector were interviewed. From the analysis six main challenges were identified. They are: lack BD awareness, high cost of investment, resistance to change, lack of government support and regulation, lack of technological expertise, and security concerns of BD. The challenges identified in this study, will serve to help companies better plan their technology adoption process, mainly considering aspects such as the need to tackle the lack of awareness by disseminating and promoting the concept of BD which will not only generate a better understanding of technology by making sure that present and future professionals understand the technology and its benefits. This study provides insight in the challenges to overcome for a successful adoption of BD technology, which would help companies to prepare for a future adoption.
Blockchain is regarded as a potential technology for transforming the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, and the number of related publications is increasing rapidly. However, a systematic review of blockchain applications in the AEC industry is lacking. The objective of this study was to review the current status of blockchain applications via a bibliometric analysis combined with a systematic literature review. According to related articles collected from databases, the present status of blockchain was analysed with regard to the distribution of articles over publication years, journals, institutions, countries, cooperation networks between authors, keyword co-occurrence networks, and research methodologies. The results indicated that research on blockchain applications is still relatively new and fragmented with regard to several topics. Five areas of benefit were identified: (i) supply chain management, (ii) contract management, (iii) information management, (iv) stakeholder management, and (v) integration management. On the basis of the technology–organisation–environment framework, nine types of challenges were identified. Future research opportunities were proposed according to the research findings. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge and provides guidelines for further research on blockchain applications in the AEC industry.
Digital technologies (DTs) are proven helpful in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry due to their varied benefits to project stakeholders, such as enhanced visualization, better data sharing, reduction in building waste, increased productivity, sustainable performance and safety improvement. Therefore, researchers have conducted various studies on DTs in the AEC industry over the year; however, this study explores the state-of-the-art research on DTs in the AEC industry by means of a bibliometric-qualitative review method. This research would uncover new knowledge gaps and practical needs in the domain of DTs in the AEC industry. In addition, bibliometric analysis was carried out by utilizing academic publications from Scopus (i.e., 11,047 publications for the AEC industry, 1956 for DTs and 1778 for DTs in the AEC industry). Furthermore, a qualitative review was further conducted on 200 screened selected research publications in the domain of DTs. This study brings attention to the body of knowledge by envisioning trends and patterns by defining key research interests, journals, countries, new advancements, challenges, negative attitudes and future directions towards DTs in the AEC industry. However, this study is the first in its vital importance and uniqueness by providing a broad updated review of DTs in the AEC literature. Furthermore, this research laid a foundation for future researchers, policy makers and practitioners to explore the limitations in future research.
Industry 4.0 has enabled technological integration of cyber physical systems and internet based communication in manufacturing value creation processes. As of now, many people use it as a collective term for advanced technologies, i.e. advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, cloud computing, smart sensors, internet of things, augmented reality, etc. This substantially improves flexibility, quality, productivity, cost, and customer satisfaction by transforming existing centralized manufacturing systems towards digital and decentralized one. Despite having potential benefits of industry 4.0, the organizations are facing typical obstacles and challenges in adopting new technologies and successful implementation in their business models. This paper aims to identify potential barriers which may hinder the implementation of industry 4.0 in manufacturing organizations. The identified barriers, through comprehensive literature review and on the basis of opinions collected from industry experts, are: poor value-chain integration, cyber-security challenges, uncertainty about economic benefits, lack of adequate skills in workforce, high investment requirements, lack of infrastructure, jobs disruptions, challenges in data management and data quality, lack of secure standards and norms, and resistance to change. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) is used to establish relationships among these barriers to develop a hierarchical model and MICMAC analysis for further classification of identified barriers for better understanding. An analysis of driving and dependence of the barriers may help in clear understanding of these for successful implementation of Industry 4.0 practices in the organizations.
The emerging Building Information Modeling (BIM) can better promote the development of building industrialization, with data integration between information-rich building models and business processes. However, the practical implementation of BIM still faces barriers. Existing studies have discussed these barriers extensively, but the research on the barriers to the implementation of BIM amid building industrialization in China is inadequate. In this study, 23 barriers were identified through literature review. A questionnaire survey approach was used to collect data from various parties. Factor analysis methods were used to process and rank barrier factors for BIM applications in the context of industrialized building. Based on the analysis of each factor, analytic hierarchy process was adopted to identify the key barriers to the implementation of BIM for industrialized building construction. The study concluded that the main barriers for BIM implementation for industrialized building were capital-related factors and the lack of support from owners. This study proposes that in addition to governmental policy support for BIM and multi-stakeholder engagement, companies should also organize experts to effectively evaluate the risks of applying BIM. Overall, this study provides suggestions on construction organizational transformations in the roadmap of moving towards digital-driven building industrialization.
Cloud computing technologies have revolutionised several industries for several years. Although the construction industry is well placed to leverage these technologies for competitive and operational advantage, the diffusion of the technologies in the industry follows a steep curve. This study therefore highlights the current contributions and use cases of cloud computing in construction practices. As such, a systematic review was carried out using ninety-two (92) peer-reviewed publications, published between 2009 and 2019. A key highlight of the findings is that cloud computing is an innovation delivery enabler for other emerging technologies (building information modelling, internet of things, virtual reality, augmented reality, big data analytics) in the construction industry. As such, this paper brings to the fore, current and future application areas of cloud computing in the construction industry. The paper also identifies barriers to broader adoption of cloud computing in the construction industry and discusses strategies for overcoming these barriers.
Additive manufacturing, including 3D printing (3DP), is one of the critical pillars of Industry 4.0 and the next construction revolution. Several countries, including China, have utilized 3DP on larger scales or real projects. However, reviews of the lessons learned from previous large-sized practices of 3DP utilization are scarce. This paper presents a few practical applications of implementing 3DP over the past decade and suggests a direction for future research work. Recent publications on 3DP practices are systematically reviewed using an interpretivist philosophical lens, and more specifically, the nozzle characteristics are focused upon. The Scopus and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) journal databases are utilized, resulting in the examination of 54 English and 62 Chinese papers. The selected practices from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao are considered for this review. A content critical review approach is adopted, and the identified papers are critically reviewed. These papers reported key challenges and advantages from their reported practices, such as limitations in aggregate sizes, nozzle sizes, standards, post-occupancy satisfaction, final product quality, productivity challenges and other associated risks. The paper reports upon prominent limitations and signposts directions for future investigations.
Purpose – Healthcare knowledge is dispersed among different departments in a healthcare organization, which makes it difficult at times to provide quality care services to patients. Therefore, this study aims to identify the main challenges in adopting health information technology (HIT).
Design/methodology/approach – This study surveyed 148 stakeholders in four key categories [patients, healthcare providers, United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizens, and foresight experts] to identify the challenges they face in adopting healthcare technologies. Responses were analyzed using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Findings – EFA revealed four key latent factors predicting resistance to HIT adoption: organizational strategy; technical barriers; readiness for big data and the internet of things; and orientation. Organizational strategy accounted for the greatest amount of variance. CFA indicated that readiness for big data and the internet of things was only moderately correlated with HIT adoption, but the other three factors were strongly correlated. Specific items relating to cost, the effectiveness and usability of the technology, and the organization were strongly correlated with HIT adoption. These results indicate that, in addition to financial considerations, effective HIT adoption requires ensuring that technologies will be easy to implement to ensure their long-term use.
Research limitations/implications – The results indicate that readiness for big data and the internet of things -related infrastructure poses a challenge to HIT adoption in the UAE context. Respondents believed that the infrastructure of big data can be helpful in more efficiently storing and sharing healthcare information. On technological side, respondents felt that they may experience a steep learning curve. Regarding orientation, stakeholders expected many more such initiatives from healthcare providers to make it more knowledge-specific and proactive.
Practical implications – This study has implications for knowledge management in healthcare sector for the information technologies. The HIT can help firms in creating a knowledge eco-system which is not possible in dispersed knowledge environment. The utilization of knowledge base emerged from the practices and data can help healthcare sector to set new standards of information flow and other clinical services such as monitoring the self-health condition. The HIT can further influence the actions of pharmaceutical and medical device industry.
The construction industry is known to be overwhelmed with resource planning, risk management and logistic challenges which often result in design defects, project delivery delays, cost overruns and contractual disputes. These challenges have instigated research in the application of advanced machine learning algorithms such as deep learning to help with diagnostic and prescriptive analysis of causes and preventive measures. However, the publicity created by tech firms like Google, Facebook and Amazon about Artificial Intelligence and applications to unstructured data is not the end of the field. There abound many applications of deep learning, particularly within the construction sector in areas such as site planning and management, health and safety and construction cost prediction, which are yet to be explored. The overall aim of this article was to review existing studies that have applied deep learning to prevalent construction challenges like structural health monitoring, construction site safety, building occupancy modelling and energy demand prediction. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no extensive survey of the applications of deep learning techniques within the construction industry. This review would inspire future research into how best to apply image processing, computer vision, natural language processing techniques of deep learning to numerous challenges in the industry. Limitations of deep learning such as the black box challenge, ethics and GDPR, cybersecurity and cost, that can be expected by construction researchers and practitioners when adopting some of these techniques were also discussed.
Purpose
The Internet of Things (IoT) provides exciting opportunities for the construction industry to solve its time and resource constraints and frequent defaults. This study seeks to identify and rank the perceived importance level of principal research areas associated with the IoT and the construction industry by utilising a scientific mapping tool (i.e. VOSviewer). Such knowledge would enable key drivers for successful adoption of the IoT and digitisation technologies to be outlined. An analysis of key drivers and research trends that facilitates the development of a roadmap for applying the IoT and digital technologies in the construction sector is therefore much needed.
Design/methodology/approach
An interpretivist philosophical lens was adopted to analyse published work as secondary data, where each publication represented a unit of analysis. A total of 417 peer-reviewed journal review articles covering the IoT within the construction domain were systematically reviewed using a mixed-methods approach, utilising qualitative-scientometric analyses techniques.
Findings
The results revealed a field of study in a fledgling stage, with a limited number of experts operating somewhat in isolation and offering single-point solutions instead of taking an integrated “holistic” approach. Key publication outlets were identified and the main focus of research undertaken being in the technical areas of smart buildings, smart construction objects and environmental sustainability. The major effects of adopting the IoT within the construction industry were identified as high-speed reporting, complete process control, data explosion leading to deep data analytics, strict ethical and legal expectations. Key drivers of the IoT adoption were outlined: interoperability; data privacy and security; flexible governance structures; proper business planning and models.
Practical implications
The study benefits researchers and industry practitioners alike. For researchers, the identified gaps reveal areas of high priority in future research. For construction companies, particularly small to medium-sized businesses, the study raises awareness of the latest developments and potential applicability of the IoT in the industry. For government agencies and policymakers, this study offers a point of reference in directing the adoption of the IoT smoothly in the construction sector and provides guidelines and standards for maximising the potential benefits.
Originality/value
The study is the first scientometric review of the existing body of knowledge in the context of application of the IoT in the construction industry. Findings expose knowledge gaps in contemporary research, specifically, a broader consideration of organisational adjustments needed to accommodate the IoT usage, economic analyses and impediments to wider acceptance.
The construction industry has traditionally been characterised by the high diversity of its agents and processes, high resistance to change and low incorporation of technology compared to manufacturing industries. However, the construction sector is experiencing now a strong renovation process in methodology and tools due to the incorporation of the Building Information Modelling, Lean Construction and Integrated Project Delivery. Meanwhile, in production systems, “Industry 4.0” is a new paradigm that proposes automation, monitoring, sensorisation, robotisation, and digitalisation to improve production and distribution processes. In this context, some authors have proposed the concept of “Construction 4.0” as the counterpart of Industry 4.0 for the construction sector, although the methodological-technological implications are not clear. This research shows a methodological-technological framework adapted to the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations industry. This papers includes a detailed proposal for a reference frameworks and related technologies that could impact on this sector, responding to its complexities and specific challenges, such as the unique spaces for each work, which are difficult to standardise, arbitrary cost overruns and a productivity far below the average for other industries, increasing competitiveness and globalisation, as opposed to its traditionally local deployment, and an increasing demand to reduce the carbon footprint for all its activities.
Industry 4.0 embraces digitization and smart products or processes that are integrated with several technological developments to control the entire value chain of workflows. The construction industry is also captivated with the idea of Industry 4.0 transformation that changes the traditional system into digital and cyber-physical system that interacts and connects across the geographical and organizational borders. However, as construction is commonly known as a low-technologically advanced industry, studies on Industry 4.0 in construction still remains elusive, as compared to other sectors such as manufacturing, electrical and electronic engineering and computer science. Therefore, this study aims to explore the current state of Industry 4.0 application from the construction engineering perspective. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to identify publications related to Industry 4.0 in construction. A bibliometric analysis has been outlined through exclusion and inclusion principles, while a scientometric analysis has been further applied to enhance the SLR findings through ‘science mapping’ visualization techniques. This study presents the relevance, along with the movement, adoption and adaption of Industry 4.0 in the construction industry that further enables the spark of new ideas, in effort to realize and comprehend the current and future technological transformation in construction.
Purpose
Industry 4.0 is predicted to be a game-changer, revolutionizing commercial and manufacturing practices through improved knowledge utilization and efficiencies. The barriers however, are significant, and the construction industry remains notoriously slow to take up innovations. This study reviews the research work in Industry 4.0 as it relates to construction, and examines a leading UK-based construction firm to ascertain the prognosis for Industry 4.0 roll-out in terms of the impediments and opportunities.
Design/methodology/approach
A multistage mixed philosophies and methods approach was adopted for this study. First, an interpretivist epistemological lens was used to synthesise extant literature as a means of contextualizing the present study. Second, an empirical case study using a post-positivist stance and inductive reasoning was conducted to explore practitioner acceptance of Industry 4.0 in the UK construction context.
Findings
Findings from the literature review indicate studies in Industry 4.0 to be a relatively new phenomenon, with developed countries and Germany in particular leading in the field. The range of opportunities are many, but so too are the barriers to enablement. Findings from the case study provide real-world corroboration of the review; practitioners are sanguine about Industry 4.0's potential to reinvigorate the construction industry, but also note that implementation remains curtailed by residual managerial practices dependent on ‘human interaction’. At present, much of the focus of industry practitioners is on the implementation of building information modelling (BIM), often at the expense of other more advanced technologies within Industry 4.0.
Originality/value
Research in Industry 4.0 is limited, with the emphasis being on technology application. This paper, by contrast, maps the totality of work carried out so far and presents an assessment of Industry 4.0's progression, potential and degree of uptake within the UK construction industry.
The digitalisation of the construction sector goes beyond the sole use of BIM (Building Information Modelling) to include automated fabrication (pre-fabrication) using robots and 3D printing, drones, 3D scanning, sensors and Internet of things (IoT). Each of these technologies are slowly penetrating the construction sector in Europe, but so far, the focus on the digitalisation of the construction sector has been on BIM. Nevertheless, seizing the full potential of the digitalisation of the construction sector requires combining BIM with the other digitalisation technologies already in use in the construction sector. BIM is, in fact, the only digitalisation technology mentioned in the EU procurement directive. Furthermore, BIM is the only digitalisation technology required for use, on mandatory basis, for public works and design in eight Member States (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and the United Kingdom). With up to 98% of its construction chain composed of SMEs and micro-enterprises characterised by decreasing innovation activity, low rates of technological adoption and decreasing efficiency, digitalisation of SMEs in the construction sector is strategic for the EU.
Purpose
In this advanced era of Industrial Revolution 4.0, as an element of cyber physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been applied in many different industries; however, its adoption in the construction industry is still limited to a few applications. This study uncovers, identifies and assesses the challenges of adopting IOT in construction projects. The challenges have been identified through the briefed literature review and a survey instrument from construction industries in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the quantitative research approach has been used and data have been collected through a questionnaire survey for construction practitioners. Whereas, respondents to the questionnaire are practitioners from the Malaysian construction industry. The method of sampling implied is random sampling technique whereby the final sample size is 132 participants. Moreover, the gathered data has been analysed using univariate approach via standard deviation and average index in SPSS Software 22.0.
Findings
The results of this study indicated the most dominant challenges are lack of safety and security, lack of documented standards, lack of benefit awareness, improper introduction of IOT and lack of robustness in connectivity. This study also examined that the awareness of construction practitioners toward the understanding of IOT and its possibility to be applied and extended in construction projects and determined that construction practitioners are aware of IOT benefits to improve the efficiency of construction projects.
Practical implications
The study presents a better understanding of IOT in the construction industry and their potential challenges, which helps the construction policymakers to avoid encounters related to challenges and provide education-based campaigns to educate construction practitioners on the concept and importance of using IOT in the construction sector.
Originality/value
This is a unique study because of its nature in this advance era of industry 4.0. Furthermore, it is specifying the latest trend associated with IOT in the construction industry and addressing the challenges of implementation, which is crucial to exploit and take advantage of the full potential of IoT benefits.
The New Zealand construction industry continues to face pressures to improve productivity and lower construction costs. With the need to build more houses and infrastructure, quicker, to high quality and on time, there is a need to upscale the use of advanced technologies. Going digital is a solution that can transform the construction industry by improving productivity measures. The objectives of this paper are to: 1 Identify the availability of transformative technologies and their potential impact on productivity improvement across the construction life cycle and, 2. To investigate the benefits and barriers to technology-uptake in New Zealand construction. This paper is a review of digital technologies which analyzes their impact on productivity across the construction life cycle. As a basis for analysis, the digital technologies are isolated into three key productivity improvement functions: (1) Ubiquitous Digital Access, (2) Whole Building Whole-of-Life (WBWOL) decision making, and (3) Cost Reduction Engineering. This study is a literature-based theoretical exploration, aimed at signifying digitization as a function of productivity performance in the New Zealand construction industry. From a practical perspective, clients and contractors may be convinced to invest in digital technologies, increasing or accelerating uptake and more fully realizing the benefits digital technologies could add to productivity performance, growth and long-term success. This study may provide useful information for researchers regarding the development of case studies by analyzing organizations that implement technological innovations, their successful actions/processes, barriers overcoming actions, and sources of new ideas.
Industry 4.0 symbolizes the fourth industrial revolution and the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. The purpose of this article is to examine the research question on how to successfully implement Industry 4.0 in organizations. This study through a systematic literature review protocol proposed by Tranfield, Denyer, and Smart analyzed 84 articles in depth. The descriptive, categorical and thematic analysis of the literature is conducted. This study identifies 10 critical success factors which are necessary for the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 in the organization. Based on the 10 critical success factors 10 research directions in this area is further expounded. This study can be used by the organizations as a guiding factor while implementing Industry 4.0 in their organizations. Focussing on these 10 factors will help organizations to be sustainable during the implementation of Industry 4.0. Though there are some literature reviews on Industry 4.0, this study critically analyses the literature for finding the critical factors for the successful implementation of Industry 4.0.
The trend of digitization, automation and the increased use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have been envisioned as the main concept of the Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0. Comparing the progressions between multiple industries, the construction industry is reluctant in incorporating these innovative technologies into its common practices despite the drastic developments demonstrated by the other industries. Numerous challenges exist from multiple aspects which prevent the engagement of IR 4.0 within the construction industry. A comprehensive review is conducted to identify the main problems which delay the implementation of IR 4.0 related technologies within the construction industry and opportunities attained in the long run. Then a questionnaire survey was conducted where the collected data was analyzed. This study shows that the critical factor affecting the successful implementation is the social and technical factors. However, all the contributing factors established a significant influence on the successful implementation despite the identified critical factor.
The construction industry is a major economic sector, but it is plagued with inefficiencies and low productivity. Robotics and automated systems have the potential to address these shortcomings; however, the level of adoption in the construction industry is very low. This paper presents an investigation into the industry-specific factors that limit the adoption in the construction industry. A mixed research method was employed combining literature review, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Three focus groups with 28 experts and an online questionnaire were conducted. Principal component and correlation analyses were conducted to group the identified factors and find hidden correlations. The main identified challenges were grouped into four categories and ranked in order of importance: contractor-side economic factors, client-side economic factors, technical and work-culture factors, and weak business case factors. No strong correlation was found among factors. This study will help stakeholders to understand the main industry-specific factors limiting the adoption of robotics and automated systems in the construction industry. The presented findings will support stakeholders to devise mitigation strategies.
The adoption of blockchain technology in the sustainable construction industry in India is slow. Existing literature in this area has primarily focused on the potential applications of blockchain technology in construction but little attention is given to the barriers, impeding its adoption. This study fills this research gap by identifying the most significant barriers to adopting blockchain technology for India's sustainable construction industry. The collected data were analyzed via a two-stage PLS-SEM-artificial-neural-network (ANN) predictive analytical approach. In total, 722 construction stakeholder surveys were conducted, and the final model of barriers to adopting blockchain technology for sustainable construction was statistically validated. This study's findings suggest that significant organizational, technological, cultural, legal, security and government barriers limit the adoption of blockchain technology for sustainable construction in India. These findings also imply that effective legislative processes and economic incentives are crucial for ensuring blockchain technology integration into sustainable construction and for efficient implementation of practices. As a further step, a roadmap is developed to support decision-makers in overcoming these barriers in the short, medium, and long terms. Finally, multi-tiered strategies that construction mapping, sustainability, and integration should be adopted to ensure the successful integration of BT into sustainable construction practices in India.
The construction industry builds the essential infrastructure and contributes to the economic development of any nation. The productivity of the construction industry has been lagging behind manufacturing for many decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of the industry and its severe dependencies on manual, labour-oriented practices. The industry needs to become resilient and rebound quickly to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. The 3D printing or additive manufacturing concept offers to automate the processes of construction, improve efficiencies in design & construction, reduce wastage and sustainable development. The present paper intends to summarize the developments, trends, and application areas through a scientometric review. Research articles were obtained from the Scopus database. The USA leads the research studies followed by China, Australia, the UK and Germany. 339 documents were obtained from the initial search. These were systematically filtered for review through the PRISMA framework. The screened 193 articles were quantitatively analyzed through the VOS viewer software. The study summarizes the current research trends, themes, and future research trends. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge and intends to raise awareness of the concept and encourage researchers and practitioners to adopt the concept on a larger scale, especially in India.
Safety has been one of the main concerns in the construction industry in recent years. Construction fatalities, injuries, and accidents impose unrecoverable losses and enormous costs every year. Despite all advancements in new methods, tools, equipment, and regulations, the rate of accidents, especially in fatal four, has not considerably improved. This fact has motivated safety professionals and researchers to explore further innovative ways to remedy the problem. One of the outcomes of safety studies is training. Continuous yet effective training can present essential safety knowledge to new employees and refresh the comprehension of current employees. However, such training sessions require funds, time commitment, and logistics. In recent years, the implementation of virtual reality (VR) for safety training has decreased the impact of obstacles and facilitated continuous training. This paper briefly addresses the design and development of a VR module for safety training in the roofing sector. The VR application was entirely designed and developed through an industry-based expert flow, using an agile methodology. A quantitative approach was employed to analyze the data and investigate various aspects of the VR module. The results showed that the VR module positively impacts roofing professionals’ perceptions of the applicability of VR applications as supplementary training tools. The influential factors identified in this research can be considered in the future design and development of VR-based safety applications.
Although smart technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution have the potential to improve the performance of industries by optimizing work processes and enhancing the work environment, the adoption of these technologies in the construction industry is still in its nascent stage. Hence, this study aims to (1) investigate the challenges in adopting smart technologies, (2) propose effective strategies to promote adoption of smart technologies, and (3) investigate whether there are significant differences in the perceptions of the challenges and strategies by organizations' sizes and years of experience in the construction industry. To achieve the objectives, a comprehensive literature review and pilot interviews with industry experts were first conducted, followed by a survey and postsurvey interviews. The findings revealed that the top challenges faced are data and information sharing, regulatory compliance, and data ownership, while the most effective strategies are training of skilled construction workforce, provision of government incentives, and communication and change management. Furthermore, the criticality of regulatory challenges was perceived differently between organizations of different sizes. The findings provide a better understanding of the challenges faced and the strategies that have been perceived as effective by industry practitioners, which are essential starting points to develop a data-driven roadmap to drive the adoption of smart technologies to facilitate the digital transformation of the construction industry.
Purpose
This research paper aims to analyze the critical barriers to implementing digitalization in the Indian construction industry as Indian construction companies are lagging in the implementation of digital technologies in the work environment.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research paper, a qualitative research approach is adopted, and multiple detailed interviews are conducted with industry and academic experts. Further, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques are used to finalize the prioritization among various alternatives. The fuzzy-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (Fuzzy-DEMATEL) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) techniques are employed to find the exact relationship among the identified alternatives.
Findings
This study identifies 14 critical barriers from an extensive literature review and multiple interviews with industry professionals, and further driving and critical barriers are identified.
Research limitations/implications
In this research paper, an exploratory study with a limited number of respondents from a large Indian construction company is carried out. Further, a detailed longitudinal analysis can be done to assess the subjectivity of the participants with more advanced statistical tools. However, this research discusses several points pertaining to the implementation of digitalization in the construction industry. The research further identifies the critical barriers to digitalization in the Indian construction industry.
Practical implications
The finding of the study has two-pronged implications. First, it provides a road-map to the construction industry by highlighting the engagement of top management as the key focus area for successful digitalization. Second, the finding also shows similarity of the digitalization process to the adoption of process improvement techniques like lean and total quality management (TQM), wherein the top management plays a crucial role in ushering in the implementation of a disruptive change.
Originality/value
The research is unique in two ways. First, this is one of the very few attempts to understand digitalization in the Indian context. Second, the research also demonstrates that the combination of fuzzy DEMATEL and ISM techniques can be successfully employed in the emerging field of construction digitalization research.
The growth of the construction industry is severely limited by the myriad complex challenges it faces such as cost and time overruns, health and safety, productivity and labour shortages. Also, construction industry is one the least digitized industries in the world, which has made it difficult for it to tackle the problems it currently faces. An advanced digital technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), is currently revolutionising industries such as manufacturing, retail, and telecommunications. The subfields of AI such as machine learning, knowledge-based systems, computer vision, robotics and optimisation have successfully been applied in other industries to achieve increased profitability, efficiency, safety and security. While acknowledging the benefits of AI applications, numerous challenges which are relevant to AI still exist in the construction industry. This study aims to unravel AI applications, examine AI techniques being used and identify opportunites and challenges for AI applications in the construction industry. A critical review of available literature on AI applications in the construction industry such as activity monitoring, risk management, resource and waste optimisation was conducted. Furthermore, the opportunities and challenges of AI applications in construction were identified and presented in this study. This study provides insights into key AI applications as it applies to construction-specific challenges, as well as the pathway to realise the acrueable benefits of AI in the construction industry.
As an example of Industry 4.0 in a project context, 3D printing of concrete has the potential to provide a paradigm shift for construction processes with significant implications for project management. This study investigates and reports the enablers and barriers of implementing the innovative 3D printing technology in construction projects, based on a literature review and case study interviews in construction companies. 3D printing can make construction processes more effective, provided that project managers can utilize the potential. The interviews with industry representatives highlighted the issue of cost efficiency of the technology. There is a need to show practical project examples on cost efficiency of the 3D printing technology. To those who manage new technologies 3D printing and other aspects of Industry 4.0 represent an opportunity, while those who struggle to work with and understand new technologies, they represent a challenge or even a threat. Future project managers better be in the first category.
The building sector is responsible for 51% of the electricity consumed in Brazil, and about 10% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. These numbers continue to grow , despite significant efforts made by the government to promote the adoption of building energy efficiency (BEE) technologies, which have not been widely adopted due to barriers. A systematic literature review revealed 27 barriers, classified into six categories, as being responsible for hindering the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. This article aims to verify whether such barriers make sense in the Brazilian context . In order to accomplish this goal, a survey among one thousand Brazilian professionals was carried out. The results are analysed by two multivariate techniques, cluster and factor analysis, validating these barriers as well as the proposed taxonomy for Brazil. The results also show that the two most important categories of barriers are Governmental/Political/Regulatory and Financial/Economic, showing that Brazilian society has high expectations that the government will be more active in this matter. In addition, the survey respondents gave insights into important points concerning technology, education, etc. that should be verified in a timely manner. These findings can assist government agencies, researchers, and experts to develop guidelines/strategies to overcome such barriers.
This study examines the barriers and enablers within the adoption process of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) and their relationship to different innovation types as outcomes of this process. Whilst the requirement to improve AMT adoption is widely acknowledged, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of the main barriers and enablers within the adoption process. Furthermore, it does not reveal how these barriers and enablers are related to different innovation types. We provide a systematic literature review of the barriers and enablers to AMT adoption. The findings of this review are based on a total of eighty-seven peer-reviewed articles from the business and management literature from 1999-2019. Our findings provide several contributions to the literature. Firstly, by integrating evidence from empirical studies, we identify five main types of barriers and four main types of enablers to adoption. Secondly, we conceptualise three key stages of the AMT adoption process and classify the barriers and enablers on the basis of whether they apply to an individual stage, or whether their influence is pertinent across the whole process. Thirdly, we reveal the relationship between categories of barriers and enablers associated to innovation types outcomes: product, process, service or business model innovations. The results of our study provide important implications for both managers and policy makers based on the evidence of the key barriers and enablers. Further, we suggest several directions for future research, including the need to examine the post-installation stage.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges hindering the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0)
among construction companies.
Design/methodology/approach – The 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).
Findings – The 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/implications – The 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/value – This 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.
Keywords Industry 4.0, Construction, Technology, Challenges, Opportunities
The real estate sector brings a fortune to the global economy. But, presently, this sector is regressive and uses traditional methods and approaches. Therefore, it needs a technological transformation and innovation in line with the Industry 4.0 requirements to transform into smart real estate. However, it faces the barriers of disruptive digital technology (DDT) adoption and innovation that need effective management to enable such transformation. These barriers present managerial challenges that affect DDT adoption and innovation in smart real estate. The current study assesses these DDTs adoption and innovation barriers facing the Australian real estate sector from a managerial perspective. Based on a comprehensive review of 72 systematically retrieved and shortlisted articles, we identify 21 key barriers to digitalisation and innovation. The barriers are grouped into the technology-organisation-external environment (TOE) categories using a Fault tree. Data is collected from 102 real estate and property managers to rate and rank the identified barriers. The results show that most of the respondents are aware of the DDTs and reported AI (22.5% of respondents), big data (12.75%) and VR (12.75%) as the most critical technologies not adopted so far due to costs, organisation policies, awareness, reluctance, user demand, tech integration, government support and funding. Overall, the highest barrier (risk) scores are observed for high costs of software and hardware (T1), high complexity of the selected technology dissemination system (T2) and lack of government incentives, R&D support, policies, regulations and standards (E1). Among the TOE categories, as evident from the fault tree analysis, the highest percentage of failure to adopt the DDT is attributed to E1 in the environmental group. For the technological group, the highest failure reason is attributed to T2. And for the organisational group, the barrier with the highest failure chances for DDT adoption is the lack of organisational willingness to invest in digital marketing (O4). These barriers must be addressed to pave the way for DDT adoption and innovation in the Australian real estate sector and move towards smart real estate.
Blockchain is an emerging technology with a wide array of potential applications. This technology, which underpins cryptocurrency, provides an immutable, decentralised, and transparent distributed database of digital assets for use by firms in supply chains. However, not all firms are appropriately suited to adopt blockchain in the existing supply chain primarily due to their lack of knowledge on the benefits of this technology. Using Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM) and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC), this paper identifies the adoption barriers, examines the interrelationships between them to the adoption of blockchain technology, which has the potential to revolutionise supply chains. The TISM technique supports developing a contextual relationship-based structural model to identify the influential barriers. MICMAC classifies the barriers in blockchain adoption based on their strength and dependence. The results of this research indicate that the lack of business awareness and familiarity with blockchain technology on what it can deliver for future supply chains, are the most influential barriers that impede blockchain adoption. These barriers hinder and impact businesses decision to establish a blockchain-enabled supply chain and that other barriers act as secondary and linked variables in the adoption process.
Integrated digital delivery (IDD) was launched by Building and Construction Authority of Singapore to transform Singapore’s approach to construction through the implementation of technologies. Whilst technologies have the potential to improve performance of the construction industry, there are limited studies on IDD and its existing implementation level in the construction industry. This paper discusses the existing level of IDD implementation, barriers to IDD implementation and strategies to overcome the barriers, among different construction designations. Based on the literature review, 25 barriers to IDD implementation and 18 strategies to overcome the barriers and promote IDD implementation have been identified and assessed using a survey questionnaire. The top three barriers to IDD implementation are inclination to stick with tried and tested methods (B14), complexities of implementing IDD technologies into project (B15), and high investment costs (B1). To overcome the barriers and promote IDD implementation, the top three strategies are adoption of IDD in public projects (S3), provision of financial incentives (S1) and client to provide clear procedures to fulfil IDD requirements during tendering stage (S18). This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on IDD as well as enhancing the understanding and implementation of IDD in both of the local and global contexts.
A systematic literature review provides a comprehensive overview of literature related to a research question and synthesizes previous work to strengthen a particular topic’s foundation of knowledge, while adhering to the concepts of transparency and bias reduction. In the growing, complex, and dynamic, management research field, systematic literature reviews have value, yet there is relatively little work published describing how management researchers might apply this approach. In explaining the purpose of systematic reviews, we define a systematic review and describe its rationale. We then discuss how systematic literature reviews may enhance management research and address current management research shortcomings. We present a detailed systematic literature review execution guideline, outlining systematic literature review steps, and providing keys to effective implementation.
Industry 4.0 holds tremendous potential to transform the operational productivity of industries. Construction sector of India has fallen behind to embrace Industry 4.0 framework. Delay in project completion and lack of coordination within departments due to unavailability of real-time information hampers the effectiveness of the operations on a daily basis. The investigation of impediments in the adoption of Industry 4.0 in the construction industry of India is an urgent requirement to restore the efficiency of the sector. Based on the extant literature review and discussions with the experts, 25 key challenges were identified. Using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool, fuzzy TOPSIS, which operates with uncertain and vague inputs, the ranking of the challenges was established. Huge costs incurred in the implementation and maintenance emerged as the biggest obstacle followed closely by problems in hiring skilled people with the required expertise. Heavy lay-offs, disruptions in compensation and legal barriers are some other serious issues that hinder adoption of Industry 4.0. Through this paper, key obstacles in the adoption of digital technology are expected to surface up that can inform management and assist in the timely decision making.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers to the adoption of blockchain technology in green supply chain management (GSCM) and further analyze the cause and effect relationship to prioritize the barriers for making strategic decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines 15 potential barriers related to the adoption of blockchain in GSCM which is identified from the literature review and finalized after subsequent discussions with industry professionals. Integrated Fuzzy-Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory approach is used to analyze cause and effect relationships and prioritize the barriers. Fuzzy set theory is used to handle the uncertainty and vagueness associated with the personnel biases and data deficiency problems. Three small to medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) are considered for gathering data and further analyzing the crucial barriers that are impeding the adoption of blockchain technology in GSCM.
Findings
The findings reveal that “lack of management vision” and “cultural differences among supply chain partners” are the most influencing barriers, whereas; “collaboration challenges” and “hesitation and workforce obsolescence” are the most influential barriers in the adoption of blockchain in GSCM.
Research limitations/implications
The study is developed based on 15 selected barriers which were further tested using data from three SMEs’ in the emerging economy of India. The adoption of blockchain technology in GSCM is at a nascent stage and more research studies are necessary to extend the knowledge base.
Practical implications
Managers need to eliminate the barriers and extend the blockchain technology application in GSCM. Managers need to develop the mission and vision of the company by doing proper alignment of blockchain technology with GSCM goals. Second, managers need to make strong collaborations and remove the hesitation and workforce obsolescence barrier by providing the right education and pieces of training.
Originality/value
Blockchain technology in GSCM is in a nascent stage. This study extends the knowledge base by identifying and further prioritizing the leading blockchain barriers that need to be overcome for effectively adopting blockchain in GSCM.
The rapid development and adoption of AR applications creates numerous opportunities for integrating AR with BIM and improving conventional methods used in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). In this chapter, the current trends in the development of AR applications and the application of AR technologies in the fields of AEC are proposed. Also, the relation between AR application and BIM in the AEC industry with the benefits of this integration and possible issues is discussed. The related examples of BIM+AR are described during the literature review. The authors believe the papers presented in this document cover the latest research trends and developments in the use of AR and its combination with BIM for AEC applications. In the future, it is expected that AR applications will be further utilized in the AEC field to enhance productivity, safety, and efficiency.
The purpose of this study is to develop a prediction model that identifies the potential risk of fatality accidents at construction sites using machine learning based on industrial accident data collected by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) of the Republic of Korea from 2011 to 2016. The data details 137,323 injuries and 2846 deaths, and includes age, sex, and length of service of each accident victim, as well as the type of construction, employer scale, and date of the accident. Upon describing the distribution of the dataset, machine learning methods, such as logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, and AdaBoost analyses were applied with the derivation of major variables influencing classification in each algorithm. A comparison of the performance of each model showed the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve to be highest for the random forest method, at 0.9198, which translates to a 91.98% successful predictive rate in terms of classifying workers who could face a high fatality risk. The random forest analysis of this study indicates that the month (season) and employment size are the most influential factors, followed by age, weekday, and service length based on mean decrease Gini values to predict the likelihood of a fatality accident. Moreover, this analysis generated ensemble predictions based on all the factors contained in the dataset. Hence, this study demonstrates the feasibility of machine learning in the construction safety management area. The results obtained can contribute to the prevention of accidents by raising awareness of potential safety risks, by quantitatively predicting fatal accidents and incorporating the findings with a manpower control system at a construction site.
The adoption and implementation of innovative solutions is an effective means to improve construction safety performance. The use of technology as a preventive tool for stemming the observed disproportionate rate of worker injuries and fatalities in the construction industry as compared with other industrial sectors has gained substantial attention over the last two decades. Previous studies have highlighted the need to advance the state of knowledge regarding the usefulness and utility of technologies for safety and health management in construction as well as factors that limit and prevent technology use in the construction industry. This paper aims to fill this gap in knowledge and practice by (1) identifying technologies used for safety and health management in the construction industry and assessing the current rate of use within the construction industry; (2) highlighting the benefits and limitations of using technologies for safety and health management, and (3) identifying the critical barriers to adopting technologies for safety and health management and propose strategies to overcome such barriers. To achieve the research aims, a survey was conducted to collect relevant data on the topic. 102 construction practitioners with pertinent knowledge of technology as it is used within their organization responded to the survey. Results of the study suggest that although slight increase in technology for safety and health management in construction adoption and use transpired due to technology ability to improve safety conditions, a notable resistance regarding its continuous use remains an issue across the industry. The study findings provide invaluable information for industry practitioners and researchers regarding limitations of technology implementation and barriers of technology adoption as well as strategies to overcome such limitations and barriers. Overcoming technology implementation limitations and adoption barriers is expected to enhance the adoption of technology for safety management in the construction industry.
This article aims to identify design-construction interface problems and their causes in design-build projects to present solutions to
resolve these problems. Accordingly, through a qualitative multiple–case study approach in four Iranian design-build projects, 26 problems
were identified, some of the most important of which are too much employer interference in design and construction, poor planning and
scheduling, and poor decision making by employers. Knowing the causes and their causation, which are related to all project phases, can help
practitioners consider them and avoid their unfavorable consequences in future projects, improve the interface integration, and make better
decisions that can potentially enhance project performance. In addition, the problems were prioritized to determine the top 10 problems.
Eventually, the experts recommended 10 solutions according to the most important causes and two main root causes, including poor public
culture and misunderstanding of the design-build term. In conclusion, it is worth bearing in mind that this study opens a new perspective in
exploring the root causes of design-construction interface problems.
Blockchain technology possesses a vast potential to transform traditional business models. Savvy business executives are already exploring how blockchain might impact their industries and their competitive positions within those industries. Yet, there are significant barriers and risks associated with blockchain technology. In this article, we highlight some of the major obstacles and risks associated with this transformative technology. The topics discussed here are neither definitive nor comprehensive; however, they provide accounting and finance professionals with a timely introduction to the barriers and perils related to blockchain technology. Although blockchain adoption is inevitable for business enterprises, careful consideration of the risks and challenges before, during, and after blockchain implementation will help ensure long‐term success.
Development of digital technologies and processes including Internet of Things (IoT) applications is central to the required transformation of the construction industry within the frame of Construction 4.0 concepts originated from the fourth industrial revolution Industry 4.0. The construction sector has vast potential to improve productivity and efficiency thanks to digitalization, innovative technologies and new construction techniques. The new tool Concremote, offered by multinational expert in solutions of formwork, uses digital sensors to measure the in-situ concrete maturity gradient and with this data it calculates early age strength. Being able to measure in real time the development of in-situ concrete maturity can reduce striking time and thus reduce cost of formwork. The aim of the case study is to demonstrate saving of formwork cost due reducing striking time through intended employment of the tool Concremote in construction of slabs. The cost of slab formwork was estimated in different variants of formwork striking times. For most variants of construction time and striking time, it was verified that the saving of the formwork cost due reducing striking time is higher than cost of the Concremote employment in the referenced construction.