An Investigation of the incentives of Adopting Modular Constructions: The lessons learned

¹ School of Engineering and Materials, Tianfu College of SWUFE, Mianyang, 621050, China
² Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia
³ Specialised Engineering Branch, Sichuan Road & Bridge Co., Ltd, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610071, China
⁴ Postgraduate Studies, Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Bina Darma Palembang, Kota Palembang 30111, South Sumatera, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: deprizon@ucsiuniversity.edu.my

Abstract

It is widely agreed that the Industry 4.0 period has been a key promoter of facilitating the digital transformation of global industries, leading to more efficient ways of working. The construction industry is recognised as a significant contributor to the impact of energy use and carbon emissions, which are relevant to global warming and related correlational risks. Based on this situation, many scholars support the sustainable transformation of the building sector by promoting modular construction projects, which represent an innovative approach to building. However, attitudinal resistance from some stakeholders still needs to be improved in order to increase the use of modular constructions, which is not a positive signal for the current sustainable development strategy. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the key benefits of using prefabricated constructions, drawing on a thorough literature review and comparative analysis. It finds that developing and developed countries have gradually accepted this off-site construction method, and the stakeholder support significantly facilitates its effective promotion. Meanwhile, enhancements in construction management effectiveness, improvements in building safety, and contributions to project sustainability modification are several major motivations for employing this innovative approach in building project development. The analytical findings can facilitate the widespread adoption of prefabricated constructions, thereby enhancing environmental performance and contributing to the sustainable development of the building sector in various regions. Further research should consider reducing subjectivity in collated viewpoints by employing the multi-criterion analysis method.