Construction Supply Chain Research Articles

Exploring Performance of Using SCM Concrete: Investigating Impacts Shifting along Concrete Supply Chain and Construction

Concrete is one of the most used building materials globally, leading to a large amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) as replacements for cement in concrete provides an effective way to reduce GHG emissions. However, quantifying the construction performance of using SCM concrete is hard because of complex interactions between concrete’s mechanical properties and construction characteristics, like local energy supply, surrounding temperature and construction plans, which leads to only the fragmental performance of using SCM concrete being explored in previous studies. There still lacks an effective way to quantify the comprehensive performance and provide decision support for contractors about how to use SCM concrete. To deal with the gap, this research proposes a Collection–Simulation–Calculation–Decision (CSCD) method to analyze the complex interactions between concrete and construction, and to quantify the performance of the supply chain–construction when using SCM. A case study is also conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method is effective in quantifying the performance of using SCM concrete in construction and providing decision support for construction decision makers. A scenario analysis is also conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in different project characteristics, including the global warming potential (GWP) factors for different construction sites, seasonal temperature changes and different construction plans. The proposed method is an effective tool to quantify the construction performance of using SCM concrete considering complex interactions between concrete mechanical properties and construction characteristics. The results of the research can assist construction decision makers to make decisions about using SCM concrete by comprehensively understanding the impacts shifting along the concrete supply chain and construction.

Occupational risk management in construction supply chain

The building is historically a driver of the economy, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, moving a huge chain of suppliers of raw materials, supplies and services, besides building a country’s infrastructure and the homes of millions of people. But working conditions in this sector that is so important to the country are not the best, exposing workers to risks of work accidents and occupational diseases. Therefore, this study sought to present the main occupational hazards in the construction industry, discussing alternatives for effective risk management by reducing the rates of accidents and illness among workers. In this research, case studies were done in small and medium-sized construction sector facing the residential construction market. It was also proposed solutions for the implementation of risk management and occupational health and safety for businesses to succeed and lower the rates of accidents at work, health and safety, and quality of work life in these companies.

Development of a Cloud-Based Building Information Modeling Design Configurator to Auto-Link Material Catalogs with Code-Compliant Designs of Residential Buildings

Configurators have recently emerged as essential tools in the construction industry to enable builders to offer a wide range of customizable designs. Due to significant challenges in information integration between construction suppliers and clients, existing configurator systems often lack crucial usability and supply chain information, presenting barriers to wider adoption among residential communities, especially in single-family residence development that requires a high degree of customization. To address this challenge in the design and construction supply chain, this study presents a lightweight cloud-based modular home configuration methodology as a robust unified platform solution to integrate parametric design options with a certified kit-of-parts library to meet local design codes. The configurator prototype developed under this framework seamlessly integrates essential design and supply chain information by leveraging (1) a generative layout design with pre-approved blueprints, (2) a knowledge-based recommender system to link the design process with certified material catalogs, and (3) a user-friendly web interface to present possible designs. The implementation of a single-family housing design adhering to the building codes in the British Columbia Province of Canada illustrates the benefits of the proposed configurator functionalities and efficient supplier data integration. Lightweight and automated, the proposed configurator has substantial potential to be scaled and adopted across different communities.

Collaborative Innovation in Construction Supply Chain under Digital Construction: Evolutionary Game Analysis Based on Prospect Theory

In the context of Digital Construction (DC), collaborative innovation in the construction supply chain (CSC) is crucial for long-term competitiveness. However, transparent information flows and fickle market circumstances hinder enterprises from actively participating in collaborative innovation, making it challenging to establish effective incentive mechanisms. To achieve sustained and stable collaborative innovation, an evolutionary game model of collaborative innovation between core enterprises and member enterprises in the CSC under DC based on Prospect Theory is constructed. Five equilibrium scenarios and evolutionary stability strategies are analyzed, and the corresponding stability conditions are obtained. Finally, the impact of different parameters on strategy selection are analyzed by numerical simulation. The results indicate that the balance between knowledge sharing and knowledge leakage is the premise of the positive impact of DC technology on collaborative innovation. Moreover, the adjustment of gain sensitivity and loss sensitivity is the key to enhancing managerial enthusiasm for collaborative innovation. Furthermore, the design of income distribution and innovation incentives must adhere to the reciprocity principle, while subsidies from owners demonstrate a prominent positive impact on collaborative innovation. This paper systematically expounds the dynamic influence of DC technology application, knowledge spillover effects, and managerial cognitive structures while confirming the intrinsic effect of innovation incentive mechanisms. It provides substantial theoretical reference and management enlightenment for promoting the development of collaborative innovation in the CSC under DC.

Identification of Key Risk Nodes and Invulnerability Analysis of Construction Supply Chain Networks

The construction supply chain confronts interruption risks that raise significant concerns regarding industry safety and stability. Consequently, exploring risk management strategies from both enterprise and supply chain network perspectives is crucial. This study employs complex network theory and the cascade failure model to propose a methodology tailored to the unique characteristics of the construction supply chain, facilitating the identification of key risk nodes and the conduct of invulnerability analyses. By evaluating the importance of construction enterprise nodes and their risk propagation ability during cascade failures, this method enables the comprehensive identification of key risk node enterprises within the construction supply chain network. Furthermore, this study examines and discusses strategies for enhancing network invulnerability by taking into account node capacity, load, and resilience. Empirical results indicate that the key nodes and risk nodes in the construction supply chain network are mainly located upstream and downstream, displaying specific distribution patterns. In addition to core enterprises, key risk nodes comprise some strong suppliers at the intermediary and lower tiers of the supply chain. Adjustments to node enterprise parameters like capacity, load, and resilience have diverse impacts on the invulnerability of the construction supply chain network. This study clarifies the distribution patterns of key risk nodes within the construction supply chain network and the variations in network invulnerability under particular conditions, providing valuable insights for risk management decision-making.

Offsite Construction Supply Chain Challenges: An Integrated Overview

Offsite Construction Supply Chain Challenges: An Integrated Overview

Collaborative system model construction and simulation optimization of e-commerce enterprise supply chain

ABSTRACT With the rise and rapid development of the e-commerce industry, the pressure borne by the supply chain of e-commerce enterprises is increasing, which greatly increases the complexity and uncertainty of inventory management in the e-commerce supply chain. The study integrates system dynamics and collaborative supply chain inventory management to construct a new model. The study first uses the concept of system dynamics to optimize the supply chain inventory management system; then the collaborative supply chain is used to construct a system model by combining the optimized management system. The results show that the collaborative supply chain inventory management model constructed by the study can better accelerate the product turnover rate, improve the overall operational efficiency and market competitiveness of the supply chain, and can provide new support for the development of e-commerce enterprises.

Multi-Agent Simulation Approach for Modular Integrated Construction Supply Chain

The shift from traditional on-site to off-site construction marks a significant evolution in the construction industry, characterized by increasing levels of prefabrication. These advancements enhance construction efficiency, reduce lead times, and mitigate environmental impacts, leading to modular integrated construction (MiC). However, MiC presents complex supply chain challenges, particularly in the transportation of prefabricated components and fully integrated modules. This study addresses these challenges by employing a multi-agent simulation using AnyLogic to optimize MiC transport logistics. The simulation models the interactions of various agents involved in the MiC process to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Results demonstrate that using three vehicles per supplier minimizes total transport costs, effectively balancing fixed and variable expenses while eliminating penalties for project delays. The findings highlight the cost efficiency of MiC, showing potential savings due to centralized assembly and optimized logistics. These significantly reduce material transportation and related costs, contributing to the overall efficiency and sustainability of construction projects. These insights underscore the value of multi-agent simulation in addressing the complexities of MiC supply chains.

Robustness of prefabricated construction supply chain network against underload cascading failure

Robustness of prefabricated construction supply chain network against underload cascading failure

Organizational factors affecting supply chain vulnerability of building project

Abstract The project construction supply chain can be particularly vulnerable to disruptive events because of the dispersed nature of temporary project teams and the unpredictability of the operating environment. Supply chain vulnerabilities are the fundamental elements that leave the business subject to disruption. It is necessary to identify the vulnerabilities in the supply chain before attempting to improve its resilience. This study proposes to identify the primary causes of organizational vulnerability in the supply chain of construction projects based on these problems. The study focuses on medium-sized and large construction companies that work on building projects in Aceh Province between 2018 and 2022. This study used a data collection technique by distributing questionnaires to contractor companies involved in construction projects. The primary data collection was analyzed using descriptive analysis and the Relative Importance Index (RII) method. The results obtained show that management vulnerability is the main vulnerable factor in the organization of the supply chain of construction projects, with the highest index being delayed in information and decision-making with an RII value of 0.9118. The findings of this study may be useful to contractor firms in managing the construction project supply chain.

Factors Influencing on the Evaluation System of Cold Chain Logistics Services for Agricultural Products in Guangxi Province, The People’s Republic of China

The objectives of this study were: (1) To study the factors that affect the evaluation system of cold chain logistics services for agricultural products in Guangxi Province, the People’s Republic of China. (2) To study the relationships between influence factors and the evaluation system of cold chain logistics services for agricultural products in Guangxi Province, the People’s Republic of China. (3) To build a model of relationship between quality management and the evaluation system of cold chain logistics services and propose suggestion for improving the evaluation system of cold chain logistics services for agricultural products in Guangxi Province, the People’s Republic of China. The study employed a mixed research methodology. In the quantitative analysis section, a questionnaire survey was conducted using simple random sampling. In the qualitative part of the analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight senior managers from agricultural production departments, logistics management companies, fresh agricultural product sales companies, hotels, and government departments. The data analysis utilized statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and structural equation model. Major Findings: the factors influencing the evaluation system of cold chain logistics services for agricultural products in Guangxi Province were examined. The identified influencing factors included agricultural product cold chain logistics quality management, logistics environment, and transportation efficiency. It was found that agricultural product cold chain logistics quality management has a significant positive impact on the logistics environment, transportation efficiency, and agricultural product cold chain logistics service evaluation system. At the same time, the logistics environment and transportation efficiency have a significant positive impact on the agricultural product cold chain logistics service evaluation system. This study presents the issues with the development of the cold chain logistics service evaluation system for agricultural products in Guangxi, along with countermeasures and suggestions for improvement.(1)Full utilization of existing resources to promote industrialization and modernization of fresh agricultural product logistics; (2) Development of a systematic agricultural product cold chain logistics system to support the agricultural product industry; (3)Strengthening the construction of cold chain supply chains for urban and rural agricultural products; (4)Expediting the introduction of energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable long- and short-distance cold chain transport vehicles; (5)The application of information technology is To be encouraged with a view to enhancing the efficiency and transparency of cold chain logistics.

Risk-averse behavior and incentive policies: A new perspective on spatial–temporal traceability supervision in construction logistics supply chains

Spatial-temporal decision support systems (STDSS) serve as a crucial strategy for enhancing operational governance and mitigating risk within construction logistics. However, construction supply chains involve many opaque stakeholders, hindering whole industry compliance monitoring. This research formulates a tripartite evolutionary game model that scrutinizes the strategic interactions among government regulators, carriers, and contractors, thereby offering insights into the collaborative supervision outcomes shaped by these stakeholder engagements. Government regulators choose intelligent supervision incentives versus regular oversight. Carriers decide whether to invest in STDSS or not. Contractors cooperate by enrolling or declining STDSS. As key STDSS investors, carriers’ decisions are investigated under varying risk preferences in an extension model. This examines how government incentives influence long-term intelligent supervision and risk aversion behavior emergence to improve safety and quality across construction supply chains. Our findings indicate that increased adverse events motivate government regulators to adopt STDSS incentives for oversight, though carriers and contractors are not necessarily prompted to implement STDSS themselves. Escalating risk aversion reduces carrier STDSS adoption likelihood as they maintain basic services. Carriers perceiving contractor free riding as unfair competition also demotivates STDSS rollout. Although larger subsidies initially raise STDSS implementation probability, carriers become unwilling to adopt STDSS over time even with greater subsidies. In summary, adverse events drive regulator but not necessarily carrier and contractor STDSS adoption, while risk aversion, perceived fairness and changing subsidy effectiveness over time shape carrier decisions.

Pricing, assembly rate optimizations and coordination for prefabricated construction supply chain with government subsidies

Prefabricated construction, a sustainable construction method, has become the inevitable trend for the future development of the construction industry. The subsidy policies for prefabricated construction enterprises can influence their strategies to promote the development of prefabricated construction. The paper considers a two-echelon prefabricated construction supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and an assembler, aiming to investigate pricing and the assembly rate strategies and coordination under different subsidy objects. The findings demonstrate that subsidy policies can increase the assembly rate. When the government subsidizes the manufacturer, the wholesale price decreases with the subsidy rate, while subsidizing the assembler, the wholesale price does not change. The impacts of subsidy policies on the retail price depend on price sensitivity and the consumer preference for the prefabricated construction market. When the subsidy rates are equivalent, the profit of supply chain with subsidizing the assembler is greater than that with subsidizing the manufacturer. Finally, the paper proposes the revenue-cost sharing contract to coordinate prefabricated construction supply chain with government subsidies. A numerical study is carried out to verify conclusions, and illustrates that a certain range of subsidy affects positively prefabricated construction enterprises by adjusting the retail price and increasing the assembly rate.

Analyzing the drivers of the low-carbon construction supply chain based on an integrated DEMATEL–ANP approach

PurposeCarbon reduction in the construction supply chain can critically affect the construction industry’s transition to an environmentally sustainable one. However, implementing carbon reduction in all parties is restricted because of the poor understanding of the drivers influencing the low-carbon construction supply chain (LCCSC). The purpose of this paper is to systematically identify the drivers of LCCSC, analyze their causality, and prioritize the importance of their management.Design/methodology/approachA decision-making analysis process was developed using an integrated decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)–analytical network process (ANP). First, the hierarchical drivers of the LCCSC were identified through a literature review. The DEMATEL method was subsequently applied to analyze the interactions between the drivers, including the direction and strength of impact. Finally, the ANP analysis was used to obtain the drivers’ weights; consequently, their priorities were established.FindingsVarious factors with complex interactions drive LCCSC. With respect to their influence relationships, incentive policy, regulatory policy, consumers’ low-carbon preference, market competition, supply chain performance, and managers’ low-carbon awareness have more significant center degrees and are cause drivers. Their strong correlations and influence on other drivers should be noticed. In terms of weights in the driver system, regulatory policy, consumers’ low-carbon preference, supply chain performance, and incentive policy are the key drivers of LCCSC and require primary attention. Other drivers, such as supply chain collaboration, employee motivation, and public participation, play a minor driving role with less management priority.Originality/valueDespite some contributing studies with localized perspectives, the systematic analysis of LCCSC drivers is limited, especially considering their intricate interactions. This paper establishes the LCCSC driver system, explores the influence relationships among the drivers, and determines the key drivers. Hence, it contributes to the sustainable construction supply chain domain by enabling decision-makers and practitioners to systematically understand the drivers of LCCSC and gain management implications on priority issues with limited resources.

Effect of blockchain technology adoption on construction supply chain: a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach

Purpose The construction industry is frequently scrutinised by the public for a variety of issues, including waste, inefficiency, narrow profit margins, scheduling setbacks, budget overruns, quality concerns, trust deficits, transparency issues, coordination challenges, communication issues and fraud. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of blockchain technology adoption on the construction supply chain. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative research approach through a questionnaire survey that was conducted among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry using the snowball sampling method, which resulted in a selection of 155 respondents. The collected data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling, enabling a thorough assessment of the proposed relationships and offering valuable insights specific to the construction industry. Findings The study’s findings validated the conceptual framework established. The results indicated that implementing blockchain across all stages of the construction supply chain has the potential to improve the construction process. The study also revealed that blockchain technology will significantly affect the construction supply chain in a positive manner. Research limitations/implications This research was carried out in the South-western region which is one of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria using a cross-sectional survey method. The study holds implications not only for local construction practices but will also contribute to the broader discourse on national construction sector challenges and possible solutions. Practical implications The findings of this study will be immensely beneficial to both professionals, practitioners and stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry in learning about the potential of blockchain technology application in improving the construction supply chain. Originality/value The study in this paper constructed and evaluated a conceptual framework by exploring the connections between the variables. The results have significant implications for the construction sector, as they provide avenues for enhancing the construction process and the overall supply chain. These findings are valuable for researchers examining the potential effects of blockchain technology on the construction supply chain.

Роль политических институтов в экономическом развитии Юга России в условиях новой реальности

Introduction. Ineffective resolution of economic problems by political institutions can jeopardize a country’s technological sovereignty in the face of existing geopolitical challenges. The purpose of the article is to identify areas for increasing the efficiency of the functioning of political institutions from the point of view of ensuring the economic security of the southern Russian regions, considering the challenges of socio-economic development that exist for them. Methodology and methods. This study centers on the Southern Federal District, which acts as an administrative entity responsible for implementing regional-level economic policies. The research utilized content analysis of scientific publications and comparative analysis of regional socio-economic indicators of economic development as part of implementing economic policy. The method for analyzing the influence of political institutions on economic development was based on the principle of balancing the combination of tactical and strategic decisions in assessing the effectiveness of implemented measures and was based on the basic principles of the theory of factors of production. Analysis. An analysis of the results of the economic policy pursued in the southern Russian regions showed that a relatively high level of resistance to sanctions challenges is ensured mainly by the export capabilities of agricultural products. However, the continued high level of import dependence on production increases the risk of conflict over the use of production factors between exportoriented companies and companies oriented to the domestic market, which creates significant threats to the implementation of national growth models. The turn of state economic policy towards the global East and South poses the tasks of the authorities of the southern Russian regions to develop transport infrastructure, as well as state support for companies participating in the construction of new production and supply chains. At the same time, increasing migration flows from border areas requires solving the problem of ensuring the socio-economic well-being of both the people moving and the host community. Results. It was found that the existing political risks to the economic development of southern Russian regions are associated with a lack of balance between the political decisions made and the strategic objectives of achieving technological sovereignty. It is concluded that the conditions of modern economic reality require economic and political mobilization to achieve value consensus and consolidation in society in order to solve the problems of economic development, implemented through the responsibility and patriotic position of political and economic elites at all levels of government. Authors’ contribution. I.V. Mitrofanova: development and justification of the concept; interpretation and synthesis of research results; O.A. Chernova: formation of methodology; development of research design; content analysis; formulation of conclusions.

Shipment lead time hedging and coordination in prefabricated construction supply chain

This paper aims to coordinate a shipment lead time hedging (SLTH) problem between a building contractor and a logistics provider in the prefabricated construction supply chain (PCSC). In the PCSC, untimely (early or late) delivery of prefabs can lead to project time and cost overruns. To mitigate this challenge, the building contractor requires the logistics provider to reduce the shipping time variability, which is termed the SLTH strategy. While this benefits the building contractor, it also puts more investment and operational pressures on the logistics provider. To solve this conflict, we introduce a coordination mechanism which involves two terms: an SLTH level related cost term is charged by the logistics provider to the building contractor, and a constant transfer term is adopted to fairly allocate the system surplus. Three decentralized models are investigated: i.e., two Stackelberg game models with alternative decision-making sequences and an equal power model. Further comparative analysis and numerical studies reveal that our proposed coordination mechanism increases the SLTH level and ensures a win–win situation. Moreover, some interesting managerial implications are derived.

Evaluation and Development of Building Material Sales Information System to Improve Inventory Management and Customer Service

This research investigates the Evaluation and Development of Building Material Sales Information Systems (BMIS) to Enhance Inventory Management and Customer Service within the construction industry. Through a qualitative analysis approach, the study explores the challenges faced by building material suppliers, identifies the requirements for effective BMIS, and evaluates the impacts of BMIS implementation on inventory management practices and customer service. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies with stakeholders representing diverse perspectives within the construction supply chain. The findings highlight the critical role of BMIS in addressing inventory management challenges, improving order accuracy, and enhancing communication with customers. The study contributes to the development of practical recommendations for building material suppliers seeking to optimize their operations and deliver superior service experiences to their clientele.

Potential use of blockchain technology in construction supply chain management of Brazil

Purpose This paper aims to analyze practices, processes and outcomes related to construction supply chain management (CSCM) in Brazil to identify opportunities and direct actions and strategies to improve the Brazilian sector through blockchain technology (BT). Design/methodology/approach The study collected empirical data through semi-structured interviews with consumers and distributors to identify how the CSCM functions today. The interviews were structured and analyzed around the following topics: processes, digitalization, quality and weakness of the activities performed. The opportunities for using BT in CSCM were identified by crossing these results with evidence in the bibliography. Findings The study identified deficiencies, gaps and good practices applied to information management in the sector. Also, it analyzed the features, drivers and barriers of BT from a practical perspective. The findings suggested that BT is feasible and promising, reducing costs and enhancing process transparency. The need to overcome cultural and economic barriers is a challenging task. Originality/value This study brings a new perspective on using BT in CSCM, relating it to the demands and particularities of the construction sector in Brazil. The study identifies a limited panorama of chronic CSCM concerns, given BT’s infinite opportunities. And it motivates a gradual transition toward installing a new technological culture based on BT that focuses on priority care for the sector’s chronic deficiencies. The results can guide practical actions for the successful insertion of BT in the CSCM, laying the foundations for significant future research.

Cyber-physical internet based intelligent operation platform for off-site construction supply chain management

ABSTRACT Off-site construction (OSC) projects rely on a smooth off-site supply chain. Previous studies improved supply chain management (SCM), while scantly mentioning business flow and recent advanced technology. This paper proposes a three-layered cyber-physical internet (CPI)-based platform for practical OSC-SCM. The scalable layer connects resources via an industrial driver (ID) for an information chain. The kernel layer designs protocols for digital twins (DT) and twin networks with incentive and information sharing mechanisms. The application layer offers thirteen services for offsite plant, logistics, and on-site assembly. A case study demonstrates 20% reduced construction time and millions of cost savings, proving enhanced efficiency.