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

Abstract

Emerging advanced technologies (EAT) have been regarded as significant technological innovations which can greatly improve the transforming construction industry. Given that research on EAT related to the management of prefabricated construction (MPC) has not yet been conducted, various researchers require a state-of-the-art summary of EAT research and implementation in the MPC field. The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review by analysing the selected 526 related publications in peer-reviewed leading journals during 2009–2020. Through a thorough review of selected papers from the state-of-the-art academic journals in the construction industry, EAT is recognised as the key area affecting the development of the MPC discipline. This study has value in offering original insights to summarise the advanced status quo of this field, helping subsequent researchers gain an in-depth understanding of the underlying structure of this field and allowing them to continue future research directions.

Critical Factors Affecting the Promotion of Emerging Information Technology in Prefabricated Building Projects: A Hybrid Evaluation Model

“…Emerging information technology refers to digitization, automation, and intelligence to help stakeholders manage and implement activities [28]. The primary functions of EIT are to help stakeholders collect, acquire, integrate, analyze, exchange, and share information and data in PBPs [29]. To date, various EITs have been adopted in PBPs to improve overall performance, including building information modeling (BIM), radio frequency identification (RFID), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, cloud computing, blockchain, digital twin, sensors, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) [29][30][31].…”

“…The primary functions of EIT are to help stakeholders collect, acquire, integrate, analyze, exchange, and share information and data in PBPs [29]. To date, various EITs have been adopted in PBPs to improve overall performance, including building information modeling (BIM), radio frequency identification (RFID), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, cloud computing, blockchain, digital twin, sensors, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) [29][30][31]. These EITs can cover multiple applications of PBPs in the pre-design and planning, production, transportation, on-site assembly, and operation and maintenance stages, bringing great changes to the implementation of PBPs.…”

“…For example, BIM, VR, AR, and MR are mainly used in design and visualization [12,32,33]. RFID, Big Data, cloud computing, blockchain, and sensors can be applied to the management of large amounts of information in PBPs [29,30]. The IoT can be used as an integrated platform to achieve interconnection [34,35].…”

Digitalizing Industrialized Construction Projects: Status Quo and Future Development

“…Wang et al [9] provided an overview of different digital technologies used in off-site construction based on a scientometric analysis of 113 journal and conference papers. Li et al [10] conducted a scientometric analysis of academic papers published from 2009 to 2020 and developed a knowledge map of digital technology adoption in prefabricated construction. Cheng et al [11] identifies the current stage of applying digital technologies in off-site construction based on 171 journal papers published between 2013 and 2022.…”

Demystifying the Influencing Factors of Construction 4.0 Technology Implementation from a Sustainability Starting Point: Current Trends and Future Research Roadmap

“…F19 refers to the availability of technical support from software vendors, equipment specification, time and effort, trainers and training materials, hardware infrastructure, financial resources, information and technology infrastructure, and power supply. Numerous research has addressed the importance and influence of these factors on C4.0TeIm in construction firms (e.g., [66][67][68]), but many fail to address, evaluate, or validate these factors in developed models or frameworks. Consequently, knowledge gaps still exist regarding the understanding and integration of these critical influencing factors in the context of C4.0TeIm; • Scholars are also recommended to enhance their future works in the following factors: F25, F46, F47, F49, F50, F51, F56, and F60.…”