Improving Construction Industrialization Practices from a Socio-Technical System Perspective: A Hong Kong Case

Abstract

Construction Industrialization (CI) tends to improve industrial performance and contributes substantially towards global sustainability. Considering these merits, many countries and regions, including Hong Kong, have released policies to promote CI uptake. However, those policy interventions ignore the dynamic influence of stakeholders and technologies, which significantly influence the efficient management of CI. In response, this study aimed to objectively depict a real socio-technical system of CI uptake based on a representative case study in Hong Kong. Further, this study identified the critical issues associated with the CI uptake and proposed policy-related recommendations to overcome the key issues. In addition, this study proposed a novel approach based on two-mode social network analysis to facilitate the analysis from a socio-technical perspective. Theoretically, this depicts the interactions of construction industry stakeholders and artifacts within a dynamic, complex socio-technical environment, indicating a new stance for construction management. Finally, this research also provides valuable implications for the government to anticipate the impact of different CI policies on promoting its uptake within the complex socio-technical system.

Promoting Construction Industrialisation with Policy Interventions: A Holistic Review of Published Policy Literature

“…Scaling up the industrialized construction would effectively satisfy the affordable housing supply and meet the climbing demand, especially in metropolitan cities like HK [ 16 ]. Considering the superior performance of CI in housing developments, although, under different construction environments and different social conditions, various regions have released relevant policies on compulsory regulations and incentive schemes to promote CI uptake [ 17 ].…”

“…Since HK is one of the most densely populated megacities in the world, housing supply is a crucial factor in its sustainable development [ 18 ]. With the overwhelming demand for high-quality, affordable housing in HK over recent years, the HK government has implemented compulsory regulations and incentive schemes to adopt CI [ 17 ]. As for manifestations of CI, prefabricated concrete components (PCCs), were first applied in public housing developments in the 1960s, where a 16-story public housing block was constructed with precast concrete panels [ 19 ].…”

An Analysis on Promoting Prefabrication Implementation in Construction Industry towards Sustainability

“…Jeong et al [122] evaluated accident cases that occurred in prefabricated construction projects in the United States and indicated that the familiar working environment, less high-altitude operations, and less exposure to bad weather were significantly beneficial to ensure occupational safety and health in modular projects. Their opinion echoed the arguments proposed by [123]. Murali and Sambath [123] also believed that the reduction of construction dust, noise, and other pollutants in prefabricated construction sites only protected the workers but also the surrounding communities.…”

Evaluation and Optimization of Sustainable Development Level of Construction Industrialization: Case Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region

“…The development of Chinese construction industrialization is promoted by the macro development and the government, as well as a self-driven process [10]. However, those policy interventions ignore the dynamic influence of stakeholders and technologies, which significantly influence the efficient management of construction industrialization [11]. That is to say, the policy factor plays a dominant role, while the management factor and market factors are also significant [12].…”