Hamed Golizadeh, M. Reza Hosseini, Igor Martek, David Edwards, Masoud Gheisari, Saeed Banihashemi and Jingxiao Zhang
Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems have emerged as an established tool within the construction industry. Concurrent with this trend has been the rise in research on RPA…
Abstract
Purpose
Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems have emerged as an established tool within the construction industry. Concurrent with this trend has been the rise in research on RPA, establishing this as a new field of study within the construction management domain. What is needed now is an assessment of the current state of research in this emerging discipline – its strengths and weaknesses – by which future research on RPA in construction may be guided. The purpose of this paper is to address this need.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 59 peer-reviewed journal articles covering RPAs within the construction domain were systematically reviewed using a mixed-methods approach, utilizing qualitative-scientometric analyses techniques.
Findings
The results reveal a field of study in its fledgling stage, with a limited number of experts operating somewhat in isolation, from a limited number of institutions. Key publication outlets are identified, with the main focus of research being in the technical areas of remote sensing, photogrammetry and image processing.
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 RPAs in the industry.
Originality/value
The study exposes what is missing from current research: a broader consideration of organizational adjustments needed to accommodate RPA usage, economic analyses and impediments to wider acceptance.
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Jemima Yarnold, Saeed Banihashemi, Charles Lemckert and Hamed Golizadeh
The purpose of this study is to examine, review and analyse the current literature on building and construction quality and determine the related themes and gaps.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine, review and analyse the current literature on building and construction quality and determine the related themes and gaps.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review approach was adopted on the building quality literature, and keywords such as “construction” or “building”; “defect” and “quality” or “rework” were searched through the Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. A number of articles were found and filtered by title, abstract and keyword relevancy. Further articles were cross-referenced from these and again filtered by title, abstract and keyword relevancy. The time period for the search was 2000–2020. A total of 97 articles were found and analysed on the topic.
Findings
A number of recurring themes were found throughout the literature. They are safety, occupier satisfaction, cost, time, licensing, culture, training, software and building quality frameworks, classifications and recommendations. These themes were linked to display relationships between them from the literature. Based on the project lifecycle stages, an amalgamated classification system was developed and is presented here. The gaps in the current literature have been analysed and reported on.
Originality/value
A comprehensive descriptive, thematic and gap analysis was conducted on the available literature of building and construction quality. The emerging themes were discovered, their relationships were demonstrated and the research gaps were identified. A new classification system positioned in the project lifecycle stages is presented.
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Hamed Golizadeh, M. Reza Hosseini, David John Edwards, Sepehr Abrishami, Nasrin Taghavi and Saeed Banihashemi
Extant literature extensively articulates the advantages of using remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) in a myriad of construction activities. Yet, the barriers that hinder their…
Abstract
Purpose
Extant literature extensively articulates the advantages of using remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) in a myriad of construction activities. Yet, the barriers that hinder their wider adoption on construction projects have received scant academic attention. This study aims at addressing this gap in the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reviews 59 papers published on the use of RPAs for construction activities and offers an evaluation of barriers to widespread adoption throughout the sector.
Findings
Barriers are identified, collated and categorized into five thematic groups, namely, technical difficulties, restrictive regulatory environment, site-related problems, weather and organizational barriers.
Practical implications
The paper contributes to knowledge by: signposting a need for reordering priorities when defining future research on RPAs, suggesting measures to address the barriers identified and providing pragmatic guidance for construction companies intending to use RPAs on their projects.
Originality/value
Using the task–technology fit theory, the study uncovers that current RPA technology is an under-fit match for construction activities and represents a prominent barrier to adoption. This is a dissenting finding, given that past studies on RPAs have primarily focused upon addressing public acceptance, concerns and societal consequences. Enablers of the identified barriers are also collated from extant literature and contemporary practice and encapsulated in a conceptual model.
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Jingxiao Zhang, Hui Li, Hamed Golizadeh, Chuandang Zhao, Sainan Lyu and Ruoyu Jin
This research aims to develop an approach to assess the reliability of integrated construction supply chains via an integrated model of building information modelling (BIM) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to develop an approach to assess the reliability of integrated construction supply chains via an integrated model of building information modelling (BIM) and the lean supply chain (LSC). It reflects the synergistic workflow between BIM and LSC as a novel approach to improve the reliability of construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This research evaluates the reliability of the BIM-LSC approach through a combination of entropy theory, set pair analysis (SPA), and Markov chains (EESM). An exploratory survey was conducted to collect data from 316 industry professionals experienced in BIM and LSC. Subsequently, multiple cycles of calculations were performed with indirect data inputs. Finally, a reliability evaluation index is established for the BIM-LSC approach and potential applications are identified.
Findings
The results show that the EESM model of BIM-LSC developed in this study can handle not only supply chain reliability evaluation at a given state but also the prediction of reliability in supply chain state transitions due to changing project conditions. This is particularly relevant to the current environment of the construction project, which is characterised by an increasing level of complexity in terms of labour, technology, and resource interactions.
Research limitations/implications
Future research could consider the accuracy and validity of the proposed model in real-life scenarios with by considering both quantitative and qualitative data across the entire lifecycle of projects.
Practical implications
The research offers a model to evaluate the reliability of the BIM-LSC approach. The accuracy of BIM supply chain reliability analysis and prediction in an uncertain environment is improved.
Originality/value
The BIM-LSC reliability evaluation and prediction presented in this study provides a theoretical foundation to enhance understanding of the BIM-LSC in the construction project context.
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Apeesada Sompolgrunk, Saeed Banihashemi, M. Reza Hosseini, Hamed Golzad and Aso Hajirasouli
The business benefits envisaged for BIM represent the main criteria for decision-making about BIM implementation – or shy away from BIM. Despite the significance, traditional…
Abstract
Purpose
The business benefits envisaged for BIM represent the main criteria for decision-making about BIM implementation – or shy away from BIM. Despite the significance, traditional evaluation techniques have difficulty to capture “the true value” of BIM from multiple levels and dimensions – as an effective evaluation method is supposed to. This study aims to identify the significant factors that affect BIM return on investment (ROI), develop an integrated model for companies and examine the influence of intangible returning factors of BIM on the rate of BIM implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
A cluster sampling technique was used; 92 questionnaires completed by Australian architecture, engineering and construction small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) provided the basis to identify and analyse the key measurable returning factors, value drivers and strategic benefits associated with BIM ROI.
Findings
Applying the PLS-SEM technique, findings reveal that a lack of reliable quantification methods for the ROI factors associated with BIM significantly affects the organisation's commitments to implement BIM. In essence, the failure to adequately identify and assess these benefits could result in the system not being appropriately implemented and supported by executive sponsors, who give priority to hard and tangible ROI measurements.
Practical implications
The outcome of this study would be of direct appeal to policymakers, industry professionals and the academic community alike, in providing data-informed insight into the intersection between the implementation of BIM and the concept of ROI. Findings would provide a springboard for further research into using ROI factors to increase BIM implementation. Though the findings are directly applicable and contextualised for Australia, they provide lessons and offer a blueprint for similar studies in other countries and settings. That is, regardless of the context, findings raise awareness and provide a point of reference for the quantification of intangible returning factors rather than the tangible returning factors, as one of the first studies in its kind.
Originality/value
The study provides original insight in drawing attention to an untapped area for research in BIM implementation, namely BIM ROI. Apart from raising awareness around BIM ROI, the study is novel in providing a quantified model that establishes the links and level of impacts of various factors associated with BIM ROI. Findings of this study, particularly add value to the body of knowledge related to the business implications associated with BIM implementation in the context of Australian SMEs, while providing lessons for other countries and settings.
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Sevilay Demirkesen and Algan Tezel
The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges hindering the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) among construction companies.
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.
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Ahmed Farouk Kineber, Idris Othman, Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke, Nicholas Chileshe and Tarek Zayed
This study aims to develop an overall project success (OPS) model by investigating the mediation impact of value management (VM) implementation between VM critical success factors…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop an overall project success (OPS) model by investigating the mediation impact of value management (VM) implementation between VM critical success factors (CSFs) and OPS as well as the moderation impact of VM CSFs between VM implementation and OPS.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 335 structured questionnaires were administered to relevant stakeholders in the study area. The research used a partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to model the relationship among VM implementation, CSFs and OPS.
Findings
The results revealed that there is an indirect positive and significant correlation among the variables. The model prediction analysis also significantly impacted with 59.9% on OPS by setting VM implementation as a mediator variable and 61% by setting VM CSFs as a moderation variable.
Practical implications
This research work will serve as a guide or benchmark for decision-makers who want to use VM to improve the success of their building projects.
Originality/value
This study fills the knowledge gap by identifying and emphasizing the impact of VM CSFs and activities on OPS.
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Ayuba Jerry Likita, Mostafa Babaeian Jelodar, V Vishnupriya and James Olabode Bamidele Rotimi
The construction industry is inefficient in terms of quality products, productivity and performance worldwide, including in Australia and New Zealand. The construction industry is…
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry is inefficient in terms of quality products, productivity and performance worldwide, including in Australia and New Zealand. The construction industry is becoming more innovative, competitive and complex; and more participants are involved in construction projects. There are new attempts to implement the Lean construction philosophy, integrated project delivery method and building information modelling (BIM) technology in construction industry to improve productivity and efficiency. This paper aims to identify Lean and BIM integration benefits in construction industry globally and in the New Zealand.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review and case studies were used to identify various benefits of the integrating Lean and BIM in construction industry. It focused on articles published between 1995 and 2021.
Findings
Lean and BIM benefits identified in the study were documented such as benefits over the traditional approach, critically increased efficiency and visualization, better building process, better building performance, mitigating risk and reduce cost. Also, several factors were identified as major benefits such as improved onsite collaboration, better coordination, improve onsite communication, increase productivity, mitigating risk, reducing waste and reduced cost. The study showed integrating Lean and BIM in construction management practice will help reduce several challenges which affect expected goals and customer anticipation. The research outcome ultimately will assist different stakeholders in applying Lean and BIM in construction management practice.
Originality/value
This study practically focused on using the integration of BIM and Lean principles to improve the construction industry productivity and performance.