Production
https://prod.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/0103-6513.20220082
Production
Research Article

Drivers and barriers for the traceability digitalisation in the Australian construction supply chain

Guilherme Luz Tortorella; Declan Cox; Wen Li; Alistair Barros

Downloads: 0
Views: 432

Abstract

Paper aims: We investigate the drivers and barriers for the traceability digitalisation of the Australian construction supply chain.

Originality: There is a growing interest in the construction industry for embracing digital technologies. Nevertheless, the digital transition in construction industry is still slow, especially for addressing material traceability.

Research method: An exploratory-empirical study was conducted in which we performed the following steps: (i) definition of selection criteria; (ii) semi-structured interviews with 26 experts (academics, practitioners and stakeholders); and (iii) content analysis and propositions.

Main findings: Results allowed the identification of the most critical drivers and barriers for such traceability digitalisation, being consolidated in a conceptual framework that characterises the early and late adopters of digital technologies in the construction supply chain.

Implications for theory and practice: In theoretical terms, when considering the barriers/challenges, the degree to which the digital traceability's results are visible to the adopters seems to be an important issue, being able to impair the digitalisation of the construction supply chain. From a practical perspective, the more companies advance in the traceability digitalisation, the more aware they will become regarding its drivers/benefits and barriers/challenges. Nevertheless, some highly critical drivers/benefits and barriers/challenges were equally perceived by both early and late adopters.

Keywords

Traceability, Digital transformation, Construction, Supply chain management

References

Adel, K., Elhakeem, A., & Marzouk, M. (2022). Chatbot for construction firms using scalable blockchain network. Automation in Construction, 141, 104390. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104390.

Arkley, P., & Riddle, S. (2005, August-September 29-02). Overcoming the traceability benefit problem. In R. Khedri (Ed.), 13th IEEE International Conference on Requirements Engineering (RE'05) (pp. 385-389). New York: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/RE.2005.49.

Avelar, W., Meiriño, M., & Tortorella, G. L. (2019). The practical relationship between continuous flow and lean construction in SMEs. The TQM Journal, 32(2), 362-380. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/TQM-05-2019-0129.

Babič, N., Podbreznik, P., & Rebolj, D. (2010). Integrating resource production and construction using BIM. Automation in Construction, 19(5), 539-543. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2009.11.005.

Barratt, M., Choi, T., & Li, M. (2011). Qualitative case studies in operations management: trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. Journal of Operations Management, 29(4), 329-342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2010.06.002.

Berg, J. B., Thuesen, C., Ernstsen, S., & Jensen, P. (2021). Reconfiguring the construction value chain: analysing key sources of friction in the business model archetypes of AEC companies in strategic partnerships. Construction Management and Economics, 39(6), 533-548. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2021.1925134.

Boddy, C. R. (2016). Sample size for qualitative research. Qualitative Market Research, 19(4), 426-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/QMR-06-2016-0053.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2016). (Mis) conceptualising themes, thematic analysis, and other problems with Fugard and Potts’(2015) sample-size tool for thematic analysis. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 19(6), 739-743. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2016.1195588.

Buchwald, P., & Anus, A. (2020). Industrial internet of things systems for tracking and traceability of production business processes. Multidisciplinary Aspects of Production Engineering, 3(1), 464-476. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/mape-2020-0039.

Carter, N., Bryant-Lukosius, D., DiCenso, A., Blythe, J., & Neville, A. (2014). The use of triangulation in qualitative research. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), 545-547. http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.545-547. PMid:25158659.

Celik, Y., Petri, I., & Barati, M. (2023). Blockchain supported BIM data provenance for construction projects. Computers in Industry, 144, 103768. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2022.103768.

Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Dubé, L., & Paré, G. (2003). Rigor in information systems positivist case research: current practices, trends and recommendations. Management Information Systems Quarterly, 27(4), 597-635. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/30036550.

Fettermann, D. C., Cavalcante, C., Almeida, T., & Tortorella, G. L. (2018). How does Industry 4.0 contribute to operations management? Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 35(4), 255-268. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2018.1462863.

Fettermann, D. C., Tortorella, G. L., & Taboada, C. M. (2019). Mass customization process in companies from the housing sector in Brazil. In G. Cortés-Robles, J. L. García-Alcaraz & G. Alor-Hernández (Eds.),Managing innovation in highly restrictive environments: lessons from Latin America and emerging markets(pp. 99-118). Cham: Springer. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93716-8_5.

Filippo, A., Gujski, L. M., Cappetti, N., & Villecco, F. (2022, June 01-03). Traceability of uncertainty in building information modelling processes for existing structures. In S. Gerbino, A. Lanzotti, M. Martorelli, R. M. Buil, C. Rizzi & L. Roucoules (Eds.),Advances on Mechanics, Design Engineering and Manufacturing IV: Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Mechanics, Design Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing(pp. 895-902). Cham: Springer. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15928-2_78.

Fugard, A., & Potts, H. (2015). Supporting thinking on sample sizes for thematic analyses: a quantitative tool. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 18(6), 669-684. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2015.1005453.

Gharaibeh, L., Eriksson, K. M., Lantz, B., Matarneh, S., & Elghaish, F. (2022). Toward digital construction supply chain-based Industry 4.0 solutions: scientometric-thematic analysis. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment. In press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-12-2021-0224.

Glass, J., Achour, N., Parry, T., & Nicholson, I. (2011, June 20-23). The role of responsible sourcing in creating a sustainable construction supply chain. In CIB, Working Commissions W55, W65, W89, W112, ENHR & AESP (Orgs.),Management and Innovation for a Sustainable Built Environment MISBE 2011 (pp. 1-12). Kanata: CIB.

Greenhalgh, T., Robert, G., Macfarlane, F., Bate, P., & Kyriakidou, O. (2004). Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: systematic review and recommendations. The Milbank Quarterly, 82(4), 581-629. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0887-378X.2004.00325.x. PMid:15595944.

Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903.

Guest, G., Namey, E., Taylor, J., Eley, N., & McKenna, K. (2017). Comparing focus groups and individual interviews: findings from a randomized study. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(6), 693-708. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2017.1281601.

Hackitt, D. J. (2018). Building a safer future. Independent review of building regulations and fire safety: final report. London: Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Hossain, M. A., & Nadeem, A. (2019, May 20-25). Towards digitizing the construction industry: state of the art of construction 4.0. In D. Ozevin, H. Ataei, M. Modares, A. P. Gurgun, S. Yazdani & A. Singh (Eds.),Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction(pp. 1-6). Fargo: ISEC Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.res.2019.184.

Kaminski, J. (2011). Diffusion of innovation theory. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 6(2), 1-6.

Kerosuo, H., Miettinen, R., Paavola, S., Mäki, T., & Korpela, J. (2015). Challenges of the expansive1 use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction projects. Production, 25(2), 289-297. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.106512.

Ketokivi, M., & Choi, T. (2014). Renaissance of case research as a scientific method. Journal of Operations Management, 32(5), 232-240. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2014.03.004.

Krainer, C., Krainer, J. A., & Romano, C. A. (2018). Interorganizational relationships in the Brazilian construction industry supply chain. Production, 28, e20170075. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.20170075.

Lee, M., Wang, Y. R., & Huang, C. (2021). Design and development of a friendly user interface for building construction traceability system. Microsystem Technologies, 27(4), 1773-1785. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00542-019-04547-4.

Lu, Y. (2017). Industry 4.0: a survey on technologies, applications and open research issues. Journal of Industrial Information Integration, 6, 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jii.2017.04.005.

Magal, S., & Word, J. (2012). Integrated business processes with ERP systems. Hoboken: Wiley.

May, G., & Kruger, M. (1988). The manager within. The Personnel Journal, 66, 57-65.

Melo, R., Medeiros, D., & Almeida, A. (2013). A multicriteria model for ranking of improvement approaches in construction companies based on the PROMETHÉE II method. Production, 25(1), 69-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-65132013005000069.

Miles, M., & Huberman, M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publishing.

Narayanamurthy, G., & Tortorella, G. L. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on employee performance-moderating role of industry 4.0 base technologies. International Journal of Production Economics, 234, 108075. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108075.

Nascimento, D., Caiado, R., Tortorella, G. L., Ivson, P., & Meiriño, M. (2018). Digital Obeya room: exploring the synergies between BIM and lean for visual construction management. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 3(1), 19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41062-017-0125-0.

Olsen, P., & Borit, M. (2013). How to define traceability. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 29(2), 142-150. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2012.10.003.

Osorio-Gomez, C. C., Moreno-Falla, M. J., Ospina-Alvarado, A., & Ponz-Tienda, J. L. (2020, March 08-10). Lean construction and BIM in the value chain of a construction company: a case study. In D. Grau, P. Tang & M. Asmar (Eds.), Construction Research Congress 2020: Project Management and Controls, Materials, and Contracts (pp. 368-378). Reston: American Society of Civil Engineers.

Oxford Economics Group. (2021). Future of construction: a global forecast for construction to 2030. Oxford: Oxford Economics Group. Retrieved in 14 April 2022, from https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/Future-of-Construction/

Pagliosa, M., Tortorella, G., & Ferreira, J. (2019). Industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing: a systematic literature review and future research directions. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 32(3), 543-569. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-12-2018-0446.

Pegoraro, C., & Paula, I. (2017). Requirements processing for building design: a systematic review. Production, 27(00), e20162121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.212116.

Rogers, D. (2019). A visit to the oracle: reviewing the state of construction industry digitalisation. Construction Research and Innovation, 10(1), 11-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20450249.2019.1587238.

Rogers, E. (1995). Diffusion of innovations. New York: Free Press.

Scott, S. D., Plotnikoff, R. C., Karunamuni, N., Bize, R., & Rodgers, W. (2008). Factors influencing the adoption of an innovation: an examination of the uptake of the Canadian Heart Health Kit (HHK). Implementation Science, 3(1), 41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-3-41. PMid:18831766.

Shetty, S. (2020). Determining sample size for qualitative research: what is the magical number. InterQ. Retrieved in 26 January 2021, from https://interq-research.com/determining-sample-size-for-qualitative-research-what-is-the-magical-number/

Straub, E. (2009). Understanding technology adoption: theory and future directions for informal learning. Review of Educational Research, 79(2), 625-649. http://dx.doi.org/10.3102/0034654308325896.

Thompson, J., & Martin, F. (2010). Strategic management: awareness & change. London: Cengage Learning EMEA.

Tortorella, G. L., Fogliatto, F. S., Cauchick-Miguel, P. A., Kurnia, S., & Jurburg, D. (2021). Integration of industry 4.0 technologies into total productive maintenance practices. International Journal of Production Economics, 240, 108224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108224.

Vasileiou, K., Barnett, J., Thorpe, S., & Young, T. (2018). Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0594-7. PMid:30463515.

Voss, C., Tsikriktsis, N., & Frohlich, M. (2002). Case research in operations management. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 22(2), 195-219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01443570210414329.

Vrijhoef, R., & Koskela, L. (2000). The four roles of supply chain management in construction. European Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management, 6(3-4), 169-178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0969-7012(00)00013-7.

Wang, Z., Wang, T., Hu, H., Gong, J., Ren, X., & Xiao, Q. (2020). Blockchain-based framework for improving supply chain traceability and information sharing in precast construction. Automation in Construction, 111, 103063. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.103063.

Wu, L., Lu, W., Xue, F., Li, X., Zhao, R., & Tang, M. (2022). Linking permissioned blockchain to Internet of Things (IoT)-BIM platform for off-site production management in modular construction. Computers in Industry, 135, 103573. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2021.103573.

Zhong, R. Y., Peng, Y., Xue, F., Fang, J., Zou, W., Luo, H., Ng, S. T., Lu, W., Shen, G. Q. P., & Huang, G. Q. (2017). Prefabricated construction enabled by the Internet-of-Things. Automation in Construction, 76, 59-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.01.006.
 


Submitted date:
06/28/2022

Accepted date:
12/06/2022

63bea7b5a95395058a4eb213 production Articles
Links & Downloads

Production

Share this page
Page Sections