Exploring the Driving Factors of Construction Industrialization Development in China

Abstract

Construction industrialization (CI) has been adopted worldwide because of its potential benefits. However, current research shows the incentives for adopting CI may differ in different regions. While the promotion of CI in China is still at the initial stage, a systematical analysis of the driving factors would help decision makers get a comprehensive understanding of CI development and select proper strategies to promote CI. This research combines qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the construction industrialization driving factors (CIDFs) in China. The grounded theory method (GTM) was employed to explore CI concepts among 182 CI-related articles published in 10 top-tier journals from 2000 to 2017. A total of 15 CIDFs were identified, including one suggested by professionals during a pre-test questionnaire survey. The analysis showed that the development of CI in China is pushed by macrodevelopment and pulled by the government and is also a self-driven process. The major driving factors for CI adoption in China are the transformation and upgrade of the conventional construction industry and the solution of development dilemmas. Our study also suggests that pilot programs are, currently, the most effective method to promote CI in China and to accumulate experience so to gain recognition by the society. This research is also of value for CI promotion in other developing countries.

Applying a new systematic fuzzy FMEA technique for risk management in light steel frame systems

“…These various results can be due to the several reasons such as construction methods, the risk analysis model entailing meta network analysis, grounded theory, Analytic Network Process (ANP), the linear weighted sum method and structured selfintersection matrix that might have been effective in these conclusions. Some other related justifications and discussions can be found in Xiahou et al (2018) and Lu et al (2018).…”

Mapping the Knowledge Domains of Emerging Advanced Technologies in the Management of Prefabricated Construction

“…For example, Jin et al [44] reviewed and analysed journal articles on off-site construction from 2008 to 2018 through bibliometrics retrieval and scientometric analysis, summarised the main research topics and research gaps for off-site construction and proposed a framework for future research. Jin et al [93] reviewed and analysed the research on the environmental performance of off-site construction facilities by using the life cycle method and bibliometric analysis. It is generally believed that off-site construction (OSC) methods, such as prefabrication and modular construction, have become promising construction methods to solve traditional on-site construction challenges, including productivity, logistics, pollution, safety, waste, quality, cost and subjectivity to the environment and weather [94].…”

Getting innovations adopted in the housing sector

“…Researchers assessed the influence of these perceived characteristics on the adoption of innovation in the housing sector. They found that innovations should possess some form of relative advantage over alternatives (Table VI) (McCoy et al, 2012;Mlecnik et al, 2010;Xiahou et al, 2018). In particular when homeowners are involved in the adoption decision-making process, the relative advantage should encompass immediate benefits such as comfort improvement or the replacement of particular building components because of their poor physical condition (Achtnicht and Madlener, 2014;Baumhof et al, 2018;Nair et al, 2010b;Roders and Straub, 2015;Swan et al, 2013b).…”

“…lack of interoperability and fit in existing supplier relations), it diminishes the propensity to adopt the innovation (Gan et al, 2015;Mlecnik et al, 2010). In addition, evidence has been found that innovations could benefit from result demonstrability and trialability (Mueller and Berker, 2013;Xiahou et al, 2018;McCoy et al, 2012;Mlecnik et al, 2010). In contrast, perceived risk concerning the impact of negative consequences for applying the innovation hinders the adoption of innovation (McCoy et al, 2012;Mlecnik et al, 2010).…”