Are contractors ready for greater use of prefabrication in projects? An empirical analysis on the role of unlearning and counter-knowledge

Abstract

Despite the recognised benefits of more extensive use of prefabrication in construction projects, a widespread market transformation has yet to occur. One of the key barriers to more extensive adoption of prefabrication is the resistance to practice change within the contractors’ firms. Organisational readiness (OR) has been known as the antecedent to the success of practice change. This paper reports a study that aims to examine the factors affecting contractors’ OR for more extensive use of prefabrication in projects. Backed by the literature review, a conceptual framework that depicts the inter-relationships among OR, unlearning (UL) and counter knowledge (CK) was proposed and empirically tested in this study. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey conducted in Australia. The results indicated that UL is positively correlated to OR. To build confidence in and gain acceptance by the employees within the contractor firms, long-term benefits for practice change should be articulated. Furthermore, the idea of more extensive use of prefabrication is less likely to be accepted when UL does not take place while CK is present. Inclusive communication within the contractor firms is vital to minimise employees’ resistance to practice change. Coercive approaches to practice change, however, may negatively affect OR.