| 1. |
- Gholami, Yashar, 1991-
(author)
-
Investigating Adoption of Digital Technologies in Construction Projects
- 2023
-
Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis investigates the adoption of digital technologies to improve logistics processes in construction projects. The focus is on the main contractor firms and construction projects, but first-tier suppliers, transportation firms, and technology vendors are also considered. The logistics processes that are studied are order-to-delivery processes and on-site logistics. Order-to-delivery processes and on-site logistics play a critical role in ensuring the availability of goods for the construction process, in the right amount and time, at the right location, and without damage.Inefficient logistics processes that do not support construction projects with the right resources (materials, tools, and machinery) are one reason for low construction project performance. Inefficient logistics processes cause disruptions to construction projects, such as material stockouts, material surpluses, unavailability, idle waiting and searching time, and waste (e.g., damages). On a larger scale, inefficient logistics processes cause significant project delays and cost overruns. Therefore, improving logistics processes can improve construction project performance.To address the inefficiencies of logistics processes, main contractor firms face increased pressure to adopt digital technologies. It is known that adopting digital technologies can improve communication between project stakeholders, construction automation, and data acquisition, visualization, and analytics. The adoption of digital technologies has also been reported to improve the construction process, such as design, production, logistics, and procurement of materials and services. However, the adoption of digital technologies is a complex and inter-organizational process, and the industry's decentralized, project-driven nature makes many efforts ad hoc and one-of-a-kind endeavors. Moreover, there needs to be more clarity in the path of digital technology adoption for increasing construction project performance. A knowledge gap in this context has been a lack of actionable recommendations to practitioners, such as main contractor firms.Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to formulate recommendations for the adoption of digital technologies that enable the main contractor firms to improve logistics processes. Based on this, the following research questions guide the research:RQ1: What are the drivers and barriers for the adoption of digital technologies at the project level from a main contractor perspective?RQ2: What are the effects on logistics processes when adopting digital technologies in construction projects?RQ3: What are the lessons learnt from the adoption of digital technologies in construction projects?The findings identify drivers and barriers to adopting digital technologies at the project level from a main contractor perspective, the effects of adopting digital technologies, and lessons learnt from adopting digital technologies in construction projects. Furthermore, a successful technology adoption process is driven by identifying the drivers and needs of the project and the stakeholders/individuals involved. It is also found that the effects of adopting digital technologies are: (a) re-designing the order-to-delivery processes and on-site logistics and (b) accessibility and monitorability of information. Moreover, this thesis proposes an enhanced understanding of the process undertaken by the main construction firms in adopting digital technologies. The thesis complements the knowledge of digital technology adoption by focusing on construction projects. The thesis fills in a knowledge gap by formulating actionable recommendations to main contractor firms and bringing clarity to the path of digital technology adoption for increasing construction project performance.
|
|
| 2. |
- Janné, Mats, 1979-, et al.
(author)
-
The Potential of Mass Logistics Centres to Increase Transport Efficiency
- 2022
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- PurposeLately, mass logistics centres (MLCs) have emerged to increase transport efficiency in soil and rock (mass) material transports. However, the impact of these MLCs has received limited attention. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of MLCs to increase transport efficiency in terms of number of transports, distance travelled, transport work, and emissions.Design/methodology/approachThe purpose is fulfilled through a scenario analysis of an MLC and its effect on distance travelled, transport work, fuel consumption, and emissions as well as the traditional measure of number of transports. FindingsThe study finds that the traditional transport efficiency measure “number of transports” is insufficient in describing transport efficiency in MLCs and similar logistics setups. A logistics centre will lead to more transports but with the correct setup, transport work, distance travelled, fuel consumption and emissions can be reduced.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to one MLC in Sweden. Future research should investigate other MLCs and go deeper into how MLCs should be designed to increase transport efficiency.Practical implicationsContractors and municipalities can find support on how to evaluate the transport efficiency effects an MLC has.Social implicationsThis study is an important step in analysing the potential of MLCs as a tool for reducing the negative impact of mass transports. OriginalityThis is one of the first in-depth studies of how MLCs affect mass transport flows from a transport efficiency perspective.
|
|
| 3. |
- Persson, Fredrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
-
Adapting the SCOR Make Process to the Construction Industry Settings
- 2012
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Since 2009, Linköping University has been running the Builder’s SCOR project. The project is supported by the research collaboration Brains&Bricks where Linköping University, the construction company Peab, and the municipality of Katrineholm participates to enhance the efficiency of the construction industry. The Builder’s SCOR model (BSCOR) is based on the SCOR model (Supply Chain Operations Reference Model) developed and supported by Supply Chain Council (SCC, 2012, SCOR, 2010). The BSCOR project is divided into several sub-projects and is still on-going. This paper reports on the third phase in the project where the Make-process of SCOR is converted to BSCOR in terms of process definitions. The first phase, the pilot study, used the SCOR model in a construction setting and evaluated how useful the model was. This work is reported in Johansson and Persson (2011) and Persson et al. (2009), where the need for something very similar to the BSCOR model is argued. The second phase included a case study of a mid-range construction project (turnover of € 1 – 10 million) where the SCOR-processes Source and Deliver were studied. This resulted in new definitions of processes and metrics in order to take the unique conditions of the construction industry into consideration. The work is reported in Persson and Thunberg (2012) and Thunberg (2011). The third phase, in this paper, studies the Make-processes in construction through two case studies of midrange construction projects. This paper outlines the results of the case studies and defines the processes in Make at the three different levels of BSCOR. As the last phase, Deliver and Plan will be studied through interviews with personnel from construction companies as well as from companies that order and buy construction projects. A study on adapting the Return-process is not conducted as the results from Thunberg (2011) indicate that faulty construction materials are seldom returned. With the four phases outlined here, a complete BSCOR model will be defined and used in several construction projects. The aim is to broaden the scope of use to other construction companies outside the collaboration of Brains&Bricks.
|
|
| 4. |
- Persson, Fredrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
-
Adapting the SCOR model to the construction industry settings
- 2012
-
In: Nofoma 2012 - Proceedings of the 24th Annual Nordic Logistics Research Network Conference, 7-8 June, Naantali, Finland. - Åbo, Finland : Turku School of Economics. - 9789522492043 ; , s. 719-737
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve construction logistics by introducing an adapted version of the SCOR (Supply Chain Operations and Reference) model. Sub-processes and metrics related to the Deliver and Source processes in the SCOR model that are in need of changes to adapt SCOR to the construction industry settings are identified.Design/methodology/approachBy observing the Deliver and Source processes and metrics in the SCOR model at a construction site, suggestions for important changes that need to be made to the SCOR model are given. This is done by using case study as a research method for theory building.FindingsFindings from the case study result in proposals for new Deliver and Source sub-processes, changes in current sub-processes and new metrics. These changes constitute the first version of the Builder’s SCOR model (BSCOR).Research limitations/implicationsThis paper presents the work of finding important changes related to the main processes Deliver (delivery of materials from supplier to site) and Source (receiving materials at site) in the SCOR model. Future work will consider important changes related to the main processes Make, Deliver (from site to customer), Plan and Return.Originality/valueThis paper analyses which parts of the SCOR model that need (or not need) to be adapted to embrace construction industry settings, resulting in a draft of a model based on the SCOR model that comprehends construction industry settings. Accordingly, this can lead to a better adaption of the processes and metrics to map, control, and coordinate the supply chain which can result in an increased profit for construction companies.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Sezer, Ahmet Anil, 1987-, et al.
(author)
-
Digitalization Index : Developing a Model for Assessing the Degree of Digitalization of Construction Projects
- 2021
-
In: Journal of construction engineering and management. - : American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). - 0733-9364 .- 1943-7862. ; 147:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The construction industry is one of the least digitally advanced industries. Although the industry is project-based, a project-level assessment of digitalization is lacking. The aim of this paper is to develop a digitalization index to assess the degree of digitalization of construction projects. Relying on the outcomes of a workshop with 11 participants and questionnaire responses from 113 site managers in Sweden, four activities; visualized drawings and three-dimensional (3D) models on sites; updated drawings, models, and system documents; created and updated work disposition plans; and updated time resource plans were selected, and a digitalization index enabling a simple assessment of the degree of digitalization of construction projects was constructed based on the degree of digitalization of the data management processes involved in these four activities. The approach to determine the digitalization index was demonstrated in a case study of a new construction project. For future studies, an accurate and simple assessment of the degree of digitalization of projects should increase the opportunities to study the association between the degree of digitalization and project performance. With longitudinal assessments, digitalization trends in the construction industry can be reported.
|
|
| 7. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
A logistics framework for improving construction supply chain performance
- 2013
-
In: Procs 29th Annual ARCOM Conference. - Reading : Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM). - 9780955239076
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In recent years, attention has been placed on the logistics activities in construction projects in order to reduce total costs. The construction industry is experiencing poor productivity, resulting from an inability of contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to cooperate efficiently. Research on logistics in construction lacks a holistic perspective and tends to focus on one activity at a time. This research presents the Builder’s SCOR model (BSCOR) to be used for logistics improvements in construction. The model is based on the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model (SCOR model) covering the total supply chain. The BSCOR model is empirically derived through five case studies at different construction sites over a period of five years. This has resulted in a model covering the activities Source, Build, and Plan, that describes the flow of materials to and on the site and how ownership passes to the client. With the BSCOR model, contractors can map the material and information flows between supply chain members with standardized process definitions. It is also possible to precisely measure the supply chain performance and to know where to put improvements efforts. The main intention with the BSCOR model is to help the industry reduce costs and increase productivity.
|
|
| 8. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
A model for visualizing cost shifts when introducing construction logistics setups
- 2023
-
In: Construction Innovation. - Bingley, United Kingdom : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1471-4175 .- 1477-0857. ; 23:4, s. 757-774
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify how the responsibilities and costs of planning, controlling and executing the material, resource and waste flows are shifted between actors when introducing a construction logistics setup (CLS) as a product innovation in a construction project, compared to the traditional way of organizing these activities.Design/methodology/approach This study is an analytical conceptual research study which aims to bring new insights into a problem through logical relationship building. Empirical data are gathered in two cases where CLSs are used, through observations and interviews regarding how the activities within the order-to-delivery process are performed. The results have been discussed at workshops with suppliers, installation companies, contractor firms and trade unions.Findings The outcome of this study is a model for illustrating how costs and responsibilities are shifted in the construction project and supply chain when a CLS is introduced. The cost shift is dependent on the activity shift that accompanies the services included in the setup.Practical implications The practical contribution of this work is twofold. First, this study provides a methodology of how to evaluate the impact of logistics services on the actors in the construction project. Second, this study shows shifts in costs and responsibilities in logistics activities with the introduction of construction logistics services.Originality/value The theoretical contributions of the model and this study lie in the inclusion of a multi-actor perspective in total cost modelling in supply chains.
|
|
| 9. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
Behovet av informationsdelning i byggbranschen
- 2018
-
In: PLANs Forsknings- och tillämpningskonferens 2018. Artiklar från konferensen på Tekniska högskolan i Jönköping, Jönköping 23-24 oktober 2018. - Jönköping : Jönköping University. ; , s. 233-247
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Den ökade efterfrågan om att digitalisera informationsflödet i byggbranschen har fått företagen att inse behovet av att veta vilken information som behöver delas och vem som har behov av informationen. Syftet med denna artikel är att identifiera behovsområden för informationsdelning i gränssnittet mellan försörjningskedjan och byggprocessen i byggprojekt mellan olika aktörer för att identifiera potentialer för förbättring. D.v.s. identifiera vilken information som behöver delas och med vem för att i framtiden kunna skapa t.ex. digitala lösningar som möjliggör automatisk hämtning och uppdatering mellan olika IT-system. För att utröna vilket informationsbehov som finns i branschen genomfördes ett 20-tal semistrukturerade intervjuer med aktörer som återspeglar olika perspektiv i gränssnittet mellan försörjningskedjan och byggprocessen: beställare (inkl. kommuner), entreprenörer, installatörer, maskinuthyrare, materialleverantörer, återvinningsföretag och transportörer. Resultatet visar på att informationsbehovet delvist är liknande när det gäller leveransinformation men skiljer sig en del när det gäller projektinformation. Detta indikerar att informationsbehov kan ses som en ”pyramid” av flera lager med information där understa lagret är leveransinformation som alla upplever behov av. Mellersta lagret är leveransplanering som beställare, entreprenörer, installatörer, maskinuthyrare, materialleverantörer och återvinningsföretag behöver. Det översta lagret utgörs av projektinformation som beställare, entreprenörer och installatörer behöver. Trots olika perspektiv så är en stor del av informationsbehovet lika, vilket är av vikt för entreprenören att förstå. Detta bidrar även till en tydligare bild av vilken information som behövs av vem. Resultatet ger även bidrag till den rådande forskningen och samhällsdebatten om digitalisering och informationsdelning i byggbranschen. Fortsatta studier behöver bl.a. titta på vem som ska vara ansvarig för insamlandet av informationen, hur den ska digitaliseras och hur den ska hållas à jour.
|
|
| 10. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
Bringing planning back into the picture : How can supply chain planning aid in dealing with supply chain related problems in construction?
- 2018
-
In: Construction Management and Economics. - : Routledge. - 0144-6193 .- 1466-433X. ; 36:8, s. 425-442
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There are several supply chain related problems facing the construction industry, such as poor construction site logistics, lack of communication and trust. These problems can jeopardise construction projects through delays and cost overruns. Supply chain planning, a part of supply chain management (SCM), can be used as a tool to deal with these problems. The purpose of this paper is to study how linkages between common supply chain related problems in construction can be illustrated and to demonstrate how they could be resolved through supply chain planning. Firstly, we identify how the linkages between common problems can be illustrated, and secondly the role of supply chain planning in resolving these problems. A conceptual model is developed that was verified using three cases with Swedish gypsum and kitchen supply chains. The model is shown to be useful in illustrating how supply chain problems occurring at executional level on-site are related to problems originating in lack of planning at company/pre-construction level. The study thus demonstrates how supply chain planning can aid in resolving supply chain problems. The paper contributes by bringing planning back into the picture and by showing how supply chain planning can help to adopt SCM in construction.
|
|
| 11. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
Categorising on-site problems : A supply chain management perspective on construction projects
- 2017
-
In: Construction Innovation. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1471-4175 .- 1477-0857. ; 17:1, s. 90-111
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose - This study aims to identify and categorise common on-site problems from a supply chain management (SCM) perspective and to trace the origin of these problems in the construction project process, the supply chain or in the intersection between these processes. This allows for identification of how on-site problems affect SCM in construction projects and how they can be mitigated. Design/methodology/approach - A literature review in combination with semi-structured interviews was used to identify on-site problems. This enabled triangulation and strengthened both construct validity and internal validity. Findings - On-site problems can be categorised in one of the four following categories: material flows, internal communication, external communication or complexity. The first category has its origin in the supply chain, the second in the construction project process, the third in the supply chain-construction process intersection on site and the fourth in the construction project as a whole. The findings conclude that on-site problems often originate from construction companies' lack of supply chain orientation. Research limitations/implications - It is suggested that supply chain planning (SCP) can facilitate on-site problem mitigation in construction project management. This extends the body of knowledge of SCP in construction project management and supports the development of effective on-site construction project management. Practical implications - The results show that SCP can aid construction project management in handling on-site problems earlier in the project process. Originality/value - The main value lies in extending the body of knowledge in construction project management research by applying an SCM perspective and by introducing SCP to support more effective construction project management.
|
|
| 12. |
|
|
| 13. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-
(author)
-
Forskning: Så kan byggprocessen snabbas på
- 2016
-
In: Byggaren : nyhetsforum för fackmannen. - Solna : Förlags AB Verkstadstidningen. - 2000-7280.
-
Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)
|
|
| 14. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
Identifying and positioning construction supply chain planning problems
- 2014
-
In: Proceedings 30th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management Conference, ARCOM 2014. - Reading : Association of Researchers in Construction Management. - 9780955239083 ; , s. 1069-1078
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The construction industry struggles with an ineffective supply chain. A literature review, in combination with an empirical study aims at identifying and positioning perceived supply chain planning problems. The empirical part is a series of semi-structured interviews with construction site managers, purchase coordinators, and a project leader. Most site managers are responsible for mid-sized turnkey contracts, which enable comparison. Findings show that most of the supply chain planning problems relate to lack of coordination between actors, and that many of the problems discovered on-site originate from the supply process or the design process. Through proactive coordination of the actors in the supply chain planning process and the actors in the construction process, the problems on-site causing "fire-fighting"-activities could be reduced.
|
|
| 15. |
|
|
| 16. |
|
|
| 17. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-
(author)
-
Performance Measurements for Improving Construction Logistics - A Case Study
- 2011
-
In: PLANs Forsknings- och tillämpningskonferens 2011. - Stockholm : Logistikföreningen Plan. - 9789197644457 ; , s. 109-124
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In the spring of 2010 a case study with the ambition to measure the construction site logistics in terms of Perfect Order Fulfilment and the movement of goods was conducted. It was found that less than 38 % of all incoming deliveries to the specific site were delivered correctly, regarding item, quantity, damage, documentation, and delivery date. Due to the inadequate management of delivery performance and logistics, extra movements of goods are prominent. During a period of 20 workdays a cost of about 30 000 SEK was spent on moving goods, many of these movements could be seen as unnecessary and could be avoided with proper planning.
|
|
| 18. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
Supplier and contractor perspectives on supply chain planning problems in construction : A multiple case study
- 2015
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Construction supply chain planning (SCP) is often associated with problems. An earlier study categorized the problems into material flow, communication, and complexity. The purpose of this study is to identify different construction supply chain actors’ perspectives on these SCP problems. Results show that all actors identify the problems but there are diverse opinions on their origin and cause. Links between the executional problems the site managers see and the SCP development problems seen by others are identified. One contribution is the importance of SCP in an early phase of the project including also actors outside the contractor.
|
|
| 19. |
|
|
| 20. |
- Thunberg, Micael, 1986-, et al.
(author)
-
Using the SCOR model’s performance measurements to improve construction logistics
- 2014
-
In: Production planning & control (Print). - : Taylor & Francis. - 0953-7287 .- 1366-5871. ; 25:13/14, s. 1056-1078
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, construction material supplier and construction site performance are assessed according to the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model. Current applicable literature focuses mainly on assessing the main contractor’s ability to construct a building according to customer requirements, i.e. construction performance. Omitting supplier performance when evaluating construction performance reduces the ability to improve the construction supply chain, as reasons for cost and time overruns and quality deficiencies will often be overlooked. In this paper, the SCOR metrics perfect order fulfilment (POF), source cycle time (SCT) and cost to source(CS) are measured to assess construction supplier reliability and construction site responsiveness. The values for POF, SCT and CS are measured to be 38%, 134 min and EUR 249, respectively. The practical implications are summarised in five improvement suggestions concerning communication, predefined material allocation, supplier performance assessment, delivery verification and notification and use of the SCOR model.
|
|
| 21. |
- Wernicke, Brian, et al.
(author)
-
Introduction of a digital maturity assessment framework for construction site operations
- 2023
-
In: International Journal of Construction Management. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1562-3599 .- 2331-2327. ; 23:5, s. 898-908
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Digital technologies as enablers for more sustainable improvements of construction site processes contain interesting opportunities. Little is known how to, in a structured way, assess and implement digital technologies to support development and improvement of construction site operations. Maturity frameworks assess the status quo and guide decision makers to potential improvements. The purpose of this research is to develop a framework for assessing digital maturity of construction site operations. Literature and empirical data were utilized to develop and validate the framework. The framework contains assessment areas that specify the areas of potential improvements, maturity levels that indicate the progression towards maturity, assessment criteria that define organizational aspects of the assessment, and an assessment procedure to guide assessors. The maturity assessment framework contributes potentially to systematization of evaluative processes creating opportunities for a change within processes and organizations enabled by digital initiatives and to long-term improvements on project portfolio level.
|
|
