Digitalization of construction supply chain and procurement in the built environment: Emerging technologies and opportunities for sustainable processes

Abstract

With rapid advances in digitalization, the application of digital technologies for supply chain and procurement processes have been advocated to facilitate revolutionary innovations in the built environment. Therefore, over the past decades, substantial research has been conducted on digital supply chain and procurement technologies (DCSP-technologies) in the built environment, resulting in a vast, fragmented and diverse body of knowledge. In this study, a comprehensive state-of-the-art research on DSCP-technologies in the built environment is presented through mixed review methods, to reveal knowledge areas that are needed to advance digitalization in construction supply chains. The science mapping analysis and qualitative discussions were used to provide insights into the research activities, challenges and opportunities regarding the digitalization of construction supply chains. Six themes including digital construction, digital integration concepts and security were identified, with blockchain-smart contracts being the most recent trend in construction supply chains. Further, future research opportunities including building information modeling (BIM) system integration, Industry 4.0 and emerging DSCP-technologies, cybersecurity and sustainability relationships with DCSP-technologies were provided. This study adds value to construction digitalization literature by providing the comprehensive picture of research explorations, and revealing the research needs essential for researchers and practitioners to develop and advance DSCP-technologies in a digitalized and sustainable built environment.