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Circular construction practices and business models are considered essential to reduce the profound impact of the construction sector to the widening global circularity gap. However, practitioners and clients in Hong Kong have encountered profound challenges in integrating circular economy principles into modular construction projects. Therefore, this paper investigates the critical success factors for implementing circular modular construction projects. The research process comprised a focused literature review, consultation with subject matter experts, questionnaire survey of industry practitioners, mean score ranking, factor analysis, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation. The analyses revealed twenty-one significant success factors for integrating circular economy principles into modular construction projects in Hong Kong. The top five significant success factors include early design completion and freezing, early understanding and commitment of the client, effective leadership and support of a specialist contractor, adequate knowledge and experience of the project team, and collaborative working and information sharing among project teams. These underscored the significance of the planning and design stages for implementing circular modular construction projects successfully. Further analysis derived three clusters of the significant success factors: effective supply chain management, competence and early commitment, and collaboration and information management, explaining 61.461% of the total variance. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation showed that these three clusters significantly influence the success of circular modular construction projects. The paper provided practical and technical guidance on how to implement circular modular construction projects effectively. Therefore, this paper provides some important insights into the critical success factors for integrating circular economy objectives into circular modular construction projects.

Due to their notably high levels of pollutant emissions, Ghana's transportation, industry, residential, and agricultural sectors have come under the focus due to contemporary archival rises in energy-related CO2 emissions worldwide. Taking inspiration from this, this article explores the factors that cause Ghana's carbon dioxide emissions by analyzing the energy use in the industrial, agricultural, residential, and transportation sectors. As a statistical tool, the regression model is used in this study to explore the relationships between the carbon dioxide emissions and the four major sectors of energy usage in Ghana. To pinpoint the factors influencing resource use or emission, a decomposition model was used. According to the report, the transport industry produces more carbon dioxide emissions than any other sector (almost 78 percent). This was greatly influenced by economic prosperity and population growth. However, the expansion of domestic material consumption was significantly slowed by technical development (DMC). In comparison to wealth, population played a relatively less but still substantial part in the drivers of DMC growth, underscoring the significant resource consumption brought on by urban sprawl. This paper presents strategic recommendations for Ghana and other comparable economies that reproduce indistinguishable condition in the transportation, agricultural, residential, and industrial sectors.

Purpose Modular integrated construction (MiC) is a modern construction method innovating and reinventing the traditional site-based construction method. As it integrates advanced manufacturing principles and requires offsite production of volumetric building components, several factors and conditions must converge to make the MiC method suitable and efficient for building projects in each context. This paper aims to present a knowledge-based decision support system (KB-DSS) for assessing a project’s suitability for the MiC method. Design/methodology/approach The KB-DSS uses 21 significant suitability decision-making factors identified through literature review, consultation of experts and questionnaire surveys. It has a knowledge base, a DSS and a user interface. The knowledge base comprises IF-THEN production rules to compute the MiC suitability score with the efficient use of the powerful reasoning and explanation capabilities of DSS. Findings The tool receives the inputs of a decision-maker, computes the MiC suitability score for a given project and generates recommendations based on the score. Three real-world projects in Hong Kong are used to demonstrate the applicability of the tool for solving the MiC suitability assessment problem. Originality/value This study established the complex and competing significant conditions and factors determining the suitability of the MiC method for construction projects. It developed a unique tool combining the capabilities of expert systems and decision support system to address the complex problem of assessing the suitability of the MiC method for construction projects in a high-density metropolis.

PurposeModular integrated construction (MiC) projects are co-created by a network of organizations and players providing different roles, information and activities throughout the supply chains. Hence, a successful delivery of MiC projects can hardly be decoupled from effective supply chain management (SCM). This study investigated the critical success determinants of effective SCM in MiC projects.Design/methodology/approachComprehensive literature research and expert review identified 20 candidate success determinants, which formed the basis for a structured questionnaire survey of experts in eighteen countries. The study computed the mean scores, normalized mean values and significance indices of success determinants for SCM in MiC projects.FindingsThe analysis revealed that design for SCM, effective communication and information sharing, organizational readiness and familiarity with MiC, seamless integration and coordination of supply chain, early involvement of critical supply chain stakeholders and extensive supply chain planning are the top five critical success determinants of effective SCM in MiC projects. The 20 success determinants are categorized into five: project strategy, bespoke competencies, process management, stakeholder management and risk management.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has some limitations. The smaller sample size could affect the generalizability of the results. The generalized analysis of the success determinants overlooked their sensitivities to specific contexts, industry climates and project types.Originality/valueThe study established a novel set of critical success determinants for SCM in MiC projects that have not been explicitly discussed in the MiC success literature and described their hypothetical dynamic linkages. It contributes to a better understanding of how best to manage the MiC project supply chain effectively.

Purpose Industrialized construction (IC) is promoted to address some of the ills associated with the processes and products of the traditional construction approach. With several successful projects, IC is progressively becoming a preferred alternative construction approach and spurred the interest of contractors, developers and housing authorities in the technology. Increasingly, these stakeholders are keen to ascertain the compatibility and feasibility of using IC in their projects. This paper aims to develop a knowledge-based decision support framework for implementing industrialized construction projects (ICPs) that can facilitate better and informed decision-making when deciding to implement ICPs. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was implemented to recruit 40 decision support factors (DSFs) and grouped into project requirements, location and site attribute, labour considerations and organizational factors. A 3-member expert panel validated the relevance of 35 DSFs, which became candidates for a structured questionnaire survey of experts in 18 countries. Statistical techniques are used to evaluate and prioritize the DSFs, leading to the development of a conceptual framework. Findings Statistical analysis revealed 33 significant DSFs. The top five most significant factors that could influence the decision to implement IC in a project include a stringent requirement for project quality control, suitability of the design for IC, organizational readiness and competencies in ICPs, client receptivity to IC and the need to minimize field construction time. A framework of project requirements, location and site attributes, labour considerations and organizational factors was proposed as decision support. Practical implications The proposed framework may help to inform decision-making regarding the implementation of IC in a project. It has wider applicability because it includes technical, managerial and operational aspects of and the required competencies for IC, which are shared between project types and territories. The prioritized DSFs could be used as a guide when implementing IC, especially in countries where bespoke decision support systems cannot be developed. Originality/value The paper delineated the most important DSFs that are shared between IC project types and territories and can be used to investigate the compatibility of using IC in a proposed project. This research constitutes the first exclusive attempt at delineating, quantifying and ranking the sets of decision-making factors, drawing on international data set and contributes to the empirical checklist of DSFs for ICPs.

Purpose The factory production stage constitutes the bridge in the supply chains of modular integrated construction (MiC) projects. It embodies the fundamental differences between MiC and site-based construction. However, there is a poverty of knowledge of the uncertainties and risk events at the production stage. This study aims to investigate the critical production risk factors (PRFs) for MiC projects. Design/methodology/approach Comprehensive literature research and expert review identified and validated 22 candidate PRFs for MiC projects. A structured questionnaire survey was then used to gather opinions of domain experts in 18 countries on the relative impact of the validated PRFs for MiC projects. The collected data were analysed using multiple statistical techniques. Findings Statistical analysis identified nine critical PRFs for MiC projects. The top five include dimensional conflicts between modules during production; delays in production materials procurement; defective design; design information gap between designer and manufacturer; and limited capacity of manufacturers. Originality/value The study addressed the gap associated with identifying critical risk factors peculiar to the factory production stage of MiC projects. Its novelty lies in providing an opposite assessment of severities and prioritization of critical PRFs for MiC projects. The prioritized critical PRFs for MiC projects may inform resource allocation. Thus, it provides valuable information to MiC production specialists and project managers in their production risk planning and management strategies. The identified PRFs contribute to the theoretical checklist of MiC supply chain risk factors and may assist practitioners in assessing the severity levels of the PRFs of their MiC projects.

Purpose Industrialized construction (IC) leverages manufacturing principles and innovative processes to improve the performance of construction projects. Though IC is gaining popularity in the global construction industry, studies that establish the best practices for implementing IC projects are scarce. This study aims to benchmark practical lifecycle-based best practices for implementing IC projects. Design/methodology/approach The study used a qualitative research design where nine IC cases from Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong were analysed to identify best practices. The methodological framework of the study followed well-established case study research cycle and guidelines, including planning, data collection, data analysis and reflection on findings. Findings The study identified and allocated key considerations, relevant stakeholders, best practices, typical deliverables and best indicators to the different construction lifecycle phases of IC projects. It also developed a lifecycle-based framework of the best practices for IC projects. Practical implications The study provides practitioners with practical insight into how best to effectively implement, manage and evaluate the performance of the IC project lifecycle phases. The proposed framework can serve as a practical diagnostic tool that enables project partners to evaluate the performance upfront progressively and objectively in each project lifecycle phase, which may inform timely corrective actions. Originality/value The study’s novelty lies in developing a framework that identifies and demonstrates the dynamic linkages among different sets of best practices, typical outputs and best practice indicators across the IC project lifecycle phases.

It is recognized that design for excellence (DfX) methods could deliver significant performance improvements in industrialized construction (IC) projects. However, DfX methods in IC projects in Chi...

PurposeThe study investigated the perceived causes of structural failure of public buildings, frequency of stability checks, stability checking procedures, measures to enhance public building stability checks and the roles of facility managers in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a comprehensive literature review, the study employed a structured questionnaire survey and gathered the opinions of sixty-seven facility managers on the facility management practices. Following statistical pretesting of the dataset for reliability, distribution and agreement among the responses, the study analysed the dataset using mean scoring and weighted analysis.FindingsThe analysis showed that external building inspectors rarely inspect stability checks of the studied public buildings in Accra. It is also found that both reactive and proactive stability checking protocols are implemented in public buildings in Accra, but inadequate knowledge of facility managers limits technical stability checks. The study further revealed that stability checks of public buildings can be enhanced through incorporating site and location conditions into the design early upfront, active engagement of facility managers in the design and construction of public buildings, adequate budgetary provisioning for planned maintenance of public buildings, and encouraging appropriate use of public buildings.Originality/valueThis paper, to the best of the authors' knowledge, represents the first attempt to comprehensively examine the causes of structural failure of public buildings, frequency of stability checks, stability checking procedures, measures to enhance public building stability checks and the roles of facility managers in Ghana, from the perspective facility management.

Purpose Prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) is a game-changing construction method that transforms the fragmented site-based construction of buildings into an integrated production, integration and assembly of value-added volumetric building components. Where circumstances merit, the effective implementation of PPVC leverages significant gains in time, cost, quality, productivity and sustainability performance of construction projects. As PPVC is increasingly becoming mainstream, it is imperative to identify the critical success criteria (CSC) for measuring PPVC project success. The purpose of this study is to identify, rank and benchmark the CSC for measuring PPVC project success. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a quantitative research design where the potential CSC for PPVC projects were evaluated. A comprehensive literature and pilot expert review identified 18 CSC for measuring PPVC project success. Based on a questionnaire survey of international PPVC experts, the 18 CSC were analyzed and prioritized using mean score analysis and weighting function. Findings Based on mean index assessment, the top five CSC for PPVC projects were identified as adherence to project schedules, meeting project quality specification, meeting safety requirements, client and owner satisfaction and cost savings and profitability. Further analysis grouped the 18 CSC into six principal success criteria (PSC), comprising time performance, cost performance, quality performance, environmental and safety performance, stakeholder satisfaction and supply chain performance. Based on weighted analysis of the six PSCs, quality performance, time performance and environmental and safety performance obtained the highest weights. Research limitations/implications The research results are limited by the following limitations. First, although adequate, the sample size was relatively smaller. Second, the generalized analysis overlooked the geospatial sensitivities of the CSC. Originality/value The results constitute the first exclusive quantitative ranking and prioritization of the CSC for PPVC projects. The outputs of this study will enable practitioners to reliably and accurately evaluate the performance levels of PPVC projects. A framework of the CSC for measuring the success of PPVC projects was developed.

Off-site construction (OSC) involves the fabrication and assembly of building components in a purpose-built factory which are then transported to the job site for final installation. OSC has proven to be a greener construction approach, spurring research towards benchmarking the sustainable attributes of the technique. However, a quantitative statistical analysis of studies on OSC sustainability and a framework of the knowledge domain are not well-established. Drawing on 642 bibliographic records from Scopus, this paper conducted a bibliometric and visualized analysis of research on the sustainability of OSC from 1971 to 2019. The findings show that research publications on OSC sustainability only witnessed steady growth since 2000. A geospatial analysis revealed that at least 32% of countries are involved in the OSC sustainability research, of which the United States, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada make the greatest contributions. The hot topics in the contemporary OSC sustainability research were identified as embodied carbon, embodied energy, construction waste, post-occupancy evaluation, resources conservation, and recycling, and cost savings. The paper identified areas that require further research. Thus, the paper offers an all-embracing understanding of the core research themes, trends, and patterns on OSC sustainability to stakeholders.

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is becoming a preferred construction approach for many types of building projects. However, several factors and conditions must converge to determine the succe...

For many types of projects, modular integrated construction (MiC) is increasingly becoming a preferred method of construction. However, MiC projects are associated with unique risk factors differen...

PurposePrefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) projects are industrialized building systems that are co-created. Thus, effective management of the involved stakeholders is required to ensure project success. However, knowledge of how best to manage the diverse stakeholders in PPVC projects is limited. This research identified and prioritized the success factors or key result areas (KRAs) for the effective stakeholder management (SM) in PPVC projects.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research design was implemented involving a literature review and structured questionnaire survey with international PPVC experts. The research identified and statistically analysed 12 KRAs for SM in PPVC projects.FindingsAnalysis showed that the top three KRAs for SM in PPVC projects include: effective working collaboration, communication and information sharing among participants; effective coordination of the PPVC supply chain segments; and early involvement of relevant stakeholders in the PPVC project. A factor analysis clustered the 12 KRAs into stakeholder analysis and early involvement, effective communication and information sharing and stakeholder interest integration and conflict management.Practical implicationsThe paper identified and prioritized the KRAs required for the effective SM in PPVC projects. To practitioners, the results may serve as decision support on the key areas to focus to ensure effective SM in PPVC projects and may guide the efficient allocation of limited resources.Originality/valueThis research constitutes the first exclusive attempt at identifying and benchmarking the generic KRAs required for effective SM in PPVC projects and contributes to the SM body of knowledge in industrialized construction.

PurposeFor many types of buildings, prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) is increasingly becoming a preferred alternative construction approach. Empirical evidence of project performance has consistently demonstrated that the ultimate success of PPVC projects is directly linked to the key decisions made at the outset of the PPVC project life cycle. However, there is limited knowledge of how to successfully manage these early stages. This research identified and evaluated the critical success factors (CSFs) required for the management of the conception, planning and design stages of the PPVC project life cycle.Design/methodology/approachA multistage methodological framework was adopted to identify and evaluate the CSFs for management of the early stages of the PPVC project life cycle. Based on a comprehensive literature review and expert review, a list of the 9 CSFs relevant to the early stages of the PPVC project life cycle was established. Drawing on an online-based international questionnaire survey with global PPVC experts, the CSFs were measured. The data set was statistically tested for reliability and analyzed using several techniques such as mean scores, relativity weightings and significance analysis.FindingsThe analysis revealed that the top 5 most influential CSFs for management of the early stages of the PPVC project life cycle include robust design specifications, accurate drawings and early design freeze; good working collaboration, effective communication and information sharing among project participants; effective stakeholder management; extensive project planning and scheduling; and early engagement of key players. The research further found correlations among the CSFs and proposed a conceptual framework for the management of the early stages of the PPVC project life cycle.Research limitations/implicationsThe research recognizes that data quality and reliability risks are the major drawbacks of online questionnaire surveys but the engagement of experts with substantial theoretical and hands-on experiences in PPVC projects helped to minimize these risks. Although small, the sample size was justified and compared with studies that adopted the same data collection approach but analyzed even smaller samples. However, the results should be interpreted against these limitations.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that effective management of the early stages of the PPVC project lifecycle requires early commitment to the PPVC approach in a project; detailed planning and assessment of the suitability of PPVC for the given project; and collaborative design with manufacturers and suppliers to address module production challenges at the detailed design stage. These findings practically instructive and may serve as management support during PPVC implementation.Originality/valueThis research constitutes the first exclusive attempt at identifying the CSFs for successful management of the early stages of the PPVC project life cycle. It provides a fresh and more in-depth understanding of how best to manage the early stages of the PPVC project life cycle. Thus, it contributes to the practice and praxis of the PPVC project implementation discourse.

Purpose Modular integrated construction (MiC) is considered as a process innovation to improve the performance of construction projects. However, effective delivery of MiC projects requires management of risks and uncertainties throughout its delivery chain. Although the design stage of MiC projects is usually managed with limited knowledge based on highly uncertain data and associated with epistemic uncertainties, MiC design risks have not received adequate research attention relative to other stages. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a knowledge-based evaluation and ranking of the design risk factors (DRFs) for MiC projects. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviewed the relevant literature to identify potential DRFs and validated their relevance through pilot expert review. The paper then used questionnaires to gather data from international MiC experts from 18 countries and statistically analyzed the data set. Findings Analysis results showed that the five most significant DRFs for MiC projects include unsuitability of design for the MiC method; late involvement of suppliers, fabricators and contractors; inaccurate information, defective design and change order; design information gap between the designer and fabricator; and lack of bespoke MiC design codes and guidelines. A correlation analysis showed that majority of the DRFs have statistically significant positive relationships and could inform practitioners on the dynamic links between the DRFs. Practical implications The paper provides useful insight and knowledge to MiC practitioners and researchers on the risk factors that could compromise the success of MiC project designs and may inform design risk management. The dynamic linkages among the DRFs instruct the need to adopt a system-thinking philosophy in MiC project design. Originality/value This paper presents the first study that specifically evaluates and prioritizes the risk events at the design stage of MiC projects. It sets forth recommendations for addressing the identified DRFs for MiC projects.

The leaders of construction innovation in China promote the integration of production best practices such as design for Excellence (DfX) in industrialized construction (IC) projects as a s...

Carbon emission quantifications in China are not consistent, with many standards and methods having been used over the years. This study identified the non-consideration of China-specific technology and databases as a factor limiting comprehensive quantification. The study aimed to comprehensively quantify regional direct CO2 emission in the industry using a hybrid of economic and environmental data. We retrieved nineteen (19) sets of fossil fuel and electricity data from provincial energy yearbooks between 1997 and 2015 for the study. To generate regression models for each of the six regional construction industries in China, the study further integrated the results with three sets of econometric data: total annual construction output, cement, and steel product yearly consumption data. The study identified the North China region as the main source of direct CO2 emission with over 30%, while Southeast China contributed the least. While there is a gradual shift to other energy sources, the study identified coal and crude oil to remain as the main energy sources in the industry. Cement and steel data exhibited a significant predictive relationship with CO2 emissions in five regional construction industries. The study identified the need to have policies tailored to technological improvements to enhance renewable energy generation and usage in the industry. The models developed in this study could be used to generate initial quantifications of carbon emissions in construction industries with similar carbon-emitting characteristics for carbon tracking, and energy policies for decision making. However, the three economic indicators used in the study could be extended to generate more robust models in future research.

An exoskeleton system can be an effective ergonomic intervention for mitigating the risks of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, yet little attention is given to the effects of its application on physical risk factors and subjective responses. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of a passive exoskeleton system on spinal biomechanics and subjective responses during manual repetitive handling tasks among construction workers. Muscle activity of the Thoracic Erector Spinae (TES), Lumbar Erector Spinae (LES) at L3 vertebrae level, Rectus Abdominis (RA), and External Oblique (EO) during the repetitive handling tasks were measured by surface electromyography (sEMG). Additionally, the Borg categorical rating scale (Borg CR 10), local perceived pressure (LPP), and system usability scale (SUS) were used to measure the ratings of perceived discomfort, perceived musculoskeletal pressure, and system usability, respectively. Our results found that: (1) the use of the passive exoskeleton system significantly reduced LES muscle activity (11–33% MVC), with a greater reduction in LES muscle activity (32.71% MVC) for the heaviest lifting load; (2) the use of the passive exoskeleton system significantly reduced perceived discomfort scores (42.40%) of the lower back for the heaviest lifting load; (3) increased lifting load significantly increased LPP scores of the shoulder, lower back, and leg body parts; and (4) majority of the participants rated the passive exoskeleton system as having acceptable usability. The findings of these results indicate that the developed passive exoskeleton system could reduce the internal muscle force, extensor moments, and spinal forces in the lumbar region.

This paper aims to conduct a systematic review of the research trend on retirement village development by exploring the emerging key themes. Bibliometric data was retrieved from Scopus using some s...

The selection of highway alignment without explicit consideration of the interests and preferences of stakeholders is a major recipe for conflicts and opposition in highway projects. Given the complex and dynamic nature of the highway alignment decision atmosphere, a dynamic framework is imperative. This research evaluated three multi-criteria decision methods (MCDMs), identified the optimal combination and proposed a highway alignment decision support framework which embraces the preferences of stakeholders. The proposed framework was validated using a controversial ongoing mega highway project from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Thus, the study makes a useful contribution to the praxis and practice of the highway alignment decision-making process.

Where circumstances merit and favourable conditions prevail, modular integrated construction (MiC) becomes a superior choice of construction method over the traditional approach. For many types of ...

Time overrun has detrimental effects on the performance of construction projects, especially highway projects which are associated with higher capital investment, complex stakeholder profile and lo...

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is an offsite construction technique which can improve construction quality, the certainty of the project cost, provide value for money and reduce construction time, waste generation, and carbon emissions. However, MiC is associated with a unique business model, engineering, supply chain, and stakeholder composition, resulting in bespoke uncertainties and risks. Prominent among them is the uncertainties and risk events in its linked supply chain segments. However, risks identification and allocation in the MiC supply chain segments is not well-established. This research identified and assessed 28 risk events (REs) across the manufacturing, logistics and on-site assembly segments of the MiC supply chain. A principal component analysis generated 10, 6 and 12 REs within the modular manufacturing, logistics, and on-site assembly segments, respectively. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) modeling revealed that the on-site assembly REs are the most critical set of risk events with a criticality index of 5.58, followed by the modular manufacturing risk events (5.28) and logistics risk events (5.08). These rankings and criticality assessment have profound implications for the practice and praxis MiC risks management. It is a source of relevant information to stakeholders and practitioners in understanding the MiC supply chain risk events and may prioritize the riskiest events to improve the performance of MiC projects. Again, the assessed REs contributes to the checklists of MiC risk events and may form the basis for future studies on the risk of MiC. Future studies may examine the assessed risk events in different countries using larger samples.

The business model of modular integrated construction (MiC) demands a unique design, engineering, supply chain, stakeholder composition, construction and management. These requirements engender man...

Following the 1960s environmental movement and the energy crisis in the 70s, evidence spurred research on renewable energy and energy efficiency practices. As a result, the green building (GB) movement emerged in the 90s to promote buildings which are designed to reduce the consumption of energy, electricity, water, materials, natural resources as well as improve environmental performance and human health over the whole lifecycle. With a prime goal of improving energy efficiency, GB has gained recognition in national and international energy policies. Following manifold exemplary projects and testified benefits, GBs research has recorded a tremendous increase over the years. Thus, it is essential to monitor the research progress to identify areas that require further research. This paper recruited the bibliometric data of 1147 GBs research articles and conducted a scientometric review. The review showed that GBs research publications increased steadily from 1992 to 2018. This highlights the increasing commitment towards the initiative. The paper found that at least 44% of all countries in the world are involved in GBs research. Ten (10) broad GB research areas in existing studies were identified and discussed and areas for further research were proposed. Thus, the paper offers a useful reference point to early-stage researchers, funding authorities, energy policymakers and industry professionals on the research progress in GBs.

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is a game-changing cleaner construction approach which improves construction project performances. For many types of buildings, MiC is increasingly becoming a preferred construction method. However, MiC projects have generated mixed outcomes; many of them encountered problems and even failed. Yet, there is limited knowledge of the reasons why MiC projects may fail. This research identified and evaluated 22 potential critical failure factors (CFFs) for MiC projects, based on a structured questionnaire survey with international experts. A mean score analysis showed that all the identified CFFs are significant factors causing MiC project failure. A structure detection analysis of the CFFs generated a 4-factor solution explaining about 72.34% of the total variance in the failure of MiC projects. The 4 principal failure factors (PFFs) for MiC projects comprise poor design and dimensional variability management, poor stakeholder and supply chain management, limited technical knowledge, capability and experience, and late commitment. A fuzzy modelling of the CFFs revealed that all the 4 PFFs are significant factors causing MiC project failure. The inclusive findings of the research have useful implications. Theoretically, the findings contribute to the useful checklist of generic CFFs for MiC projects. Practically, the research prioritized the CFFs, which may serve as a useful management-support in the implementation of MiC projects.

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is an innovative construction approach which transforms the fragmented linear site-based construction of buildings into an integrated production and assembly of value-added prefabricated prefinished modules. As MiC has gained attention in the construction industry, more in-depth knowledge of the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing MiC projects is imperative. This research reviewed studies on the CSFs for implementing MiC projects during the period 1993–2019. Analysis showed that the US, UK, Malaysia, Australia, and Hong Kong are the largest contributors to the MiC CSFs studies. Further analysis generated 35 CSFs for implementing MiC projects. Of these, the six most cited CSFs shared between countries and MiC projects include good working collaboration and effective communication among project participants; effective supply chain management; accurate design and early design freeze; involvement of key project participants throughout the project; suitable procurement strategy and contracting; and standardization & benchmarking of best practices. These shared CSFs can be used to develop decision support systems, enabling the prediction of project success. The developed checklists and conceptual model of the CSFs could help to guide and improve the successful implementation of MiC projects and may form a useful basis for future empirical studies.

Purpose: The study sought to identify the most reported relevant drivers of housing deficit in Ghana from empirical studies and to be guided by them to propagate practical micro and macro levels housing strategies that could be pursued by households, communities, and government to address the housing needs of both rural and urban households. The review makes a distilling contribution to the housing literature advancing the critical drivers of housing deficit and propagating the dire need for resilient housing remedies in Ghana.Methods: The study adopted an exploratory research design and mainly reviewed relevant housing literature comprising of scholarly articles, research papers, policy documents, conferences proceedings and dissertations. A thematic content analysis was undertaken to facilitate the mapping out of the interconnected web of drivers of the housing deficit.Results: The review of the literature indicated that housing deficit in Ghana is driven by a complex web of broad factors of demographic, financial, land, planning and policy drivers. It was also identified that previous research mainly focused on state-centred approach to the housing deficit and neglected the contributions and challenges of individual or community level housing delivery.Conclusion: Mass social housing is resistant to policy interventions and national housing policies have failed to rescue the housing situation. Consequently, housing policy intervention should shift attention from state-centric housing model to individual or community level housing construction, largely because the interplay of the micro and macro level housing remedies have the capability of providing a resilient remedy to housing deficit in Ghana

The benefits of modular integrated construction (MiC) are extensively documented. Rapid and effective implementation of MiC will leverage significant gains in construction project performance. However, its widespread diffusion and uptake have been hindered. Although manifold empirical studies have identified the barriers to the adoption of MiC in different countries, holistic international review and integrated conceptual framework for the barriers are not well-established. This research analysed studies on the barriers conducted in 15 countries across five continents. Based on a meta-synthesis framework, the research identified 120 barriers to the adoption of MiC. The analysis revealed a co-existence of both perceived and real barriers, for which the authors argued that some existing studies may have engaged inexperienced participants during their surveys. An extended classification framework is proposed to group the 120 constraints into knowledge, attitudinal, financial, technical, aesthetic, industry, process, and policy clusters of barriers. The paper proposed an integrated conceptual framework mapping the interactions among the barriers. The framework revealed that the 5 most symbiotic clusters include industry, knowledge, process, financial and technical barriers which have at least 4 interactions with other groups. The paper further proposed strategies to address the identified groups of barriers. Thus, this research has established the ecosystem of the barriers, and how they hinder the wider diffusion of MiC. As such, it provides a holistic perspective of the barriers to the wider diffusion of MiC and initiated a debate towards developing integrated strategies to promote uptake of the technique.

Reservoir planning without the explicit accommodation of evaporation loss leads to errors in capacity estimates. However, whenever evaporation loss is considered, its quantification uses linear approximations of the intrinsically nonlinear height&ndash, area&ndash, storage (H&ndash, A&ndash, S) relationship to estimate the reservoir area, leading to bias in capacity estimates. In this work, biases resulting from using various H&ndash, S models are evaluated. These models include linear and nonlinear functions, either specifically developed for the case-study sites or available in the Global Reservoir and Dam (GRanD) database. All empirically derived approximations used data for two dams in India: the Bhakra on Sutlej River and the Pong on the Beas River, both tributaries of the Indus River. The results showed that linear H&ndash, S models underestimate the exposed surface area of the Pong reservoir by up to 11.19%, the bias at Bhakra was much less. The GRanD H&ndash, S model performed very poorly at both reservoirs, producing overprediction in exposed reservoir area of up to 100% and 415% at the Pong and Bhakra reservoirs, respectively. Analyses also showed that up to 29% increase in reservoir capacity is required to compensate for the effect of net evaporation loss at low demand levels. As demand increases, the required evaporation-correction capacity decreases in proportional terms and is indistinguishable for all H&ndash, S models. Finally, recommendations are made on using the results for evaporation adjustment at nongauged sites in the region.

The significant ill-performances, challenges, and increasing competition within the construction sector are generating tremendous changes. One such revolution is the transition towards offsite construction (OSC). Although a plethora of studies has expounded the virtues and benefits of the approach, a holistic review and conceptual framework of the drivers of OSC is not well-established. This research draws on a multistage methodological framework of a systematic literature review, plenary discussions, and the total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) approach to build a holistic conceptual framework for the drivers of OSC. A review of 32 empirical studies distributed across four continents resulted in the extraction of 86 drivers. The 86 drivers were grouped into time, cost, quality, productivity, innovative competitiveness, market, sustainability, and policy clusters of drivers drawing on previous classifications in empirical studies. The TISM modeling revealed three hierarchical levels of the drivers, comprising dependent, linkage, and independent drivers. Based on an MICMAC analysis, “innovative competitiveness” and “sustainability” have the highest driving powers and lowest dependences, suggesting their prime significance in the adoption of OSC. Thus, this research provides a broader perspective of the drivers and may help OSC practitioners and policymakers to gain a better understanding of the ecosystem of the drivers.