Perceptions towards risks involved in off-site construction in the integrated design & construction project delivery

Abstract

This study aimed to address the gap in research regarding the application of integrated design and construction (IDC) project delivery into off-site construction Projects (OSC) within China. A questionnaire survey was designed and delivered to reach Chinese professionals in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) disciplines to assess their risk perceptions. Risk was considered in terms of probability and severity. Two main research hypotheses were proposed that AEC professionals' perceptions towards applying IDC in OSC projects would be affected by their experience in OSC or in IDC. Based on a total of 112 valid questionnaire responses, statistical analyses were conducted, including the relative importance index analysis, internal consistency analysis involving Cronbach's Alpha, the one-way analysis of variance, and post-hoc tests. It was indicated that AEC practitioners' experience in both OSC and IDC did affect their perceptions towards the risks. It was further identified that compared to professionals' OSC experience, their experience or knowledge in IDC played a more significant role in affecting their risk perceptions. Those with little experience in OSC or IDC tended to perceive risks with a higher degree of significance. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in terms of integrating OSC with IDC, by addressing the research question of whether the experience level in OSC and in IDC would impact AEC professionals' risk perceptions. Future research could continue this study by adopting empirical case studies to evaluate risks when applying IDC in OSC projects.