Abstract
Smart technologies are changing how infrastructure, real estate, and other built assets are being designed, constructed, operated and maintained. At the same time, modern methods of construction are being sought to improve and change the construction industry practices by emphasising on the manufacturing concept i.e. off-site production. Over the last couple of decades, a considerable amount of literature has evolved on smart technologies and modern construction. However, little or no research has attempted to understand the impact of smart technologies and modern construction on construction businesses by holistic evaluation of the concept of Smart Modern Construction (SMC). Considering that the world is rapidly maturing into the fourth industrial revolution, it has become necessary for the construction industry to embrace SMC. This paper explores the concept of 'SMC' and further identifies barriers to the adoption of SMC in the construction industry through expert round-table discussion with industry practitioners. A total of twenty-four industry practitioners participated in the round-table discussion; four on each of the six tables. The discussion was moderated by two academics in each table. For the concept of SMC, participants were asked to come up with five words that define smart modern construction. The top five words that emerged include systemised, collaborative, modular, agile and sustainable. On the barriers to adoption of SMC, the top five factors include lack of expertise or skill shortage, low adaptability to technology, lack of innovation, lack of strategy and inability to evolve their business models. The outputs of this study provide basic understanding and knowledge to both academics and industry practitioners on what defines SMC. Also, they inform industry practitioners the measures that need to be adopted to implement SMC. Lastly, the findings of this research serve as a foundation for the formulation of a hypothesis for further detailed empirical research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Constructing smart Cities: Proceedings of the 22nd CIB World Building Congress (CIB2019), 17-21 June 2019, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China |
| Publisher | International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789623678216 |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |
| Event | CIB Congress - Duration: 17 Jun 2019 → … |
Conference
| Conference | CIB Congress |
|---|---|
| Period | 17/06/19 → … |
Keywords
- construction industry
- technological innovations
