Modular Construction as an Enabling Technology to Lean Construction 4.0 : Modelling the Key Barriers and their Interrelationships A case of Pakistan

Abstract

Construction industry is progressing towards the implementation of total automation in its processes with the advent of industry 4.0 while incorporating techniques such as modular construction and reducing waste to enhance overall quality and achieve sustainability. This study proposes the implementation of construction 4.0, modular, and lean construction processes (CMLCP 4.0) in Pakistan’s construction industry to help it achieve automation, agility, quality, sustainability, and reduce waste. Pakistan, being a developing country is facing a lot of challenges in achieving its industry 4.0, modular, and lean construction (IML) objectives. There are certain barriers which hinder the implementation of CMLCP 4.0 in Pakistan’s construction industry. This study endeavors to delineate those barriers and establish interrelationships between them by enacting a structural hierarchy using interpretive structural modelling (ISM). By conducting extensive literature review and expert opinion, 28 barriers were finally identified. A questionnaire was designed to register perceptions from experts regarding the pairwise contextual relationship between the barriers. Using the ISM technique, the relationships were converted to their Boolean equivalencies, partitioned into levels and finally a hierarchal model was constructed. The 28 barriers were transitioned into 11 levels while establishing the most critical barriers which were shortage of funds, insufficient technical expertise, cultural differences, and conservative industry culture. The Matriced Impacts Croise's Multiplication Appliqée a UN Classement (MICMAC) technique was further employed to segregate the barriers into the categories of ‘driving’, ‘linkage’, and ‘dependent’. This paper may assist policymakers, government, and company CEOs in implementing CMLCP 4.0 in their works and overcome the barriers associated with them and while achieving quality, automation, sustainability, and reducing waste. Keywords: