The Ghanaian construction industry faces major problems that undermine its potential and contribution to overall national development. There is a general acceptance of the need to develop structures and improve regulations within the Ghanaian construction industry. However, the fragmentation of stakeholders has resulted in the absence of a clear agenda within the industry to address apparent problems that affect performance within the industry. Whilst there have been previous initiatives to help deliver industry-wide improvements in the Ghanaian construction industry, they have not received direct sustained attention from a single organisation with broad stakeholder participation. This undermines progress in the efforts to improve the overall environment and performance in the industry. This paper explores the development of a multi-stakeholder representative body for the Ghanaian construction industry to provide leadership in the pursuit of reform in the Ghanaian construction industry. The literature on developments within the global construction industry and industry initiatives to improve performance have been reviewed. This provides new pathways to ongoing efforts to achieve industry-wide regulation. It has been recognised in this paper that the ultimate objective towards the attainment of industrywide improvements in the Ghanaian construction industry remains the establishment of an Industry Development Agency.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the current state of popular modern methods of construction (MMC) and pre-manufactured construction in the construction industry and propose a framework for future implications for practice and future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This technical paper is based on a narrative review of the extant literature on the subject. First, the Scopus search engine was used to retrieve relevant papers on MMC, offsite and pre-manufactured construction. Second, institutional literature such as reports by industry professional and trade bodies, literature from leading technology firms and contractors with experience of MMC were extracted. These two strands of literature were synthesised and a comprehensive discussion on the topic was provided.
Findings
Results show that journal publications on MMC and pre-manufactured construction have increased in the past decade. The paper found significant advances in the development of premanufactured and offsite construction approaches with many benefits. Offsite and pre-manufactured construction are viable and sustainable systems currently suitable for wider adoption as the mainstream construction method.
Research limitations/implications
This technical paper based on an integrative review of relevant literature could have benefitted from interviews of professionals with experience of offsite and pre-manufacture techniques and from wider availability of current academic publications on the subject. Validation of the framework has not been undertaken.
Originality/value
Not much-published work has been undertaken on the current state of development globally and the viability of these construction approaches. This paper evaluates evidence from academic and industry sources to address this gap. A framework has been developed which can help the industry’s industrialisation drive.
Burnt clay bricks can be readily manufactured in Ghana as all ten regions have significant clay deposits with the Ashanti region having the highest estimated deposit of 37.1 million metric tonnes. In recent times, burnt clay bricks have been regarded as old fashioned and replaced by other perceived modern walling units within Kumasi, the metropolitan capital of Ashanti Region, despite its availability, unique advantages (aesthetics, low maintenance cost, etc.), and structural and nonstructural properties. This study involved a questionnaire survey of 85 respondents made up of architects, brick manufacturing firms, and brick house owners or occupants in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana and sought to examine their perceptions on barriers to the use of burnt clay bricks for housing construction. The findings revealed that the key factors inhibiting the use of burnt clay bricks for housing construction are low material demand, excessive cost implications, inappropriate use in construction, noncompatibility of burnt clay bricks with other materials, unreliable production, and transportation problems. The findings however provide a platform for stakeholders to address the barriers to enable the extensive use of clay bricks in housing constructions.
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