Pushing Digital Automation of Configure-to-Order Services in Small and Medium Enterprises of the Construction Equipment Industry: A Design Science Research Approach

Abstract

In order to efficiently transform business processes (such as product design, product engineering, production, logistics, sales, deliveries, etc.) into digitally automated processes, new concepts have been introduced in both the manufacturing and construction industries. Under the term Industry 4.0, promising possibilities for high-performance production processes are emerging based on e.g., digital twins and cyber-physical systems. However, the construction industry lags behind in adapting these ideas, and is still facing severe productivity deficits. This paper addresses these deficits by assessing the hypothesis of Building Information Modeling—as the digital twinning methodology in construction—representing a key driver for digital automation and thus enabling more productive processes. To this end, we apply a design science research approach to develop artefacts using computational methods for the automation of business processes in a configure-to-order industry partner. The evaluation is done in the context of a pilot project together with this industry partner. The findings obtained in the pilot project revealed time savings in the phases of bid estimation and work preparation. Based on the findings, the applicability and utility of the suggested approach are discussed and allow for the conclusion that Building Information Model data can usefully streamline and automate many processes at the interface between design and production, if structured and preprocessed purposefully.

Generating Transparency in the Worldwide Use of the Terminology Industry 4.0

“…Figure 8). The country is particularly focused on CPS (31) and human-machine interaction (31), while data management (13) and smart (19) are falling behind. Only two more countries appear to implement the term Industry 4.0 to at least some degree: Spain and the UK.…”

“…Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive picture, while other reviews surrounding the research field Industry 4.0 have focused on special aspects of the term, such as: -edge computing [16]; -additive manufacturing/three-dimensional printing [17]; -cyber-physical production systems [18]; -construction industry [19]; -remanufacturing [20]; -environmentally-sustainable manufacturing [21,22]; -interactions with the energy system [23].…”

Deploying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing in Construction

“…In other words, the key tasks of DSR are (1) to prescribe an artefact that will address the practical problems by its developed applicable solutions [54] and (2) to bring together the two realities of practice and theory [52]. This approach was originally developed in the area of information systems, but a number of authors, such as [55][56][57][58], have suggested that DSR should be used to develop solutions for solving practical and relevant problems in AEC. DSR is about prescribing and evaluating, which means designing and constructing an artefact and then ensuring that the identified problem has been solved [59].…”

Engagement Evaluation in a Virtual Learning Environment via Facial Expression Recognition and Self-Reports: A Preliminary Approach

“…The case study analyzed in this paper concerns the evaluation of users' engagement in interacting with a virtual learning environment developed during a European project for education purposes. An approach based on design science research (DSR) was followed taking inspiration from the one proposed by Schimanski et al [19]. Our DSR approach to the issue was as follows: (1) problem statement: self-reports are not sufficient in giving a complete evaluation of users' feedback; (2) hypothesis: an FER methodology can make more thorough the users' feedback analysis; (3) development: an SVM (support vector machine) method can classify the level of user engagement based on facial analysis; (4) evaluation: assessment of the proposed solution on a group of sample users during the navigation in a virtual learning environment.…”