Current trends and future directions in knowledge management in construction research using social network analysis

The growing interest in Knowledge Management (KM) has led to increased attention to Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a tool to map the relationships in networks. SNA can be used to evaluate knowledge flows between project teams, contributing to collaborative working and improved performance. Similarly, it has the potential to be used for construction projects and organisations. This paper aims at identifying current trends and future research directions related to using SNA for KM in construction. A systematic review and thematic analysis were used to critically review the existing studies and identify potential research areas in construction specifically related to research approaches and explore the possibilities for extension of SNA in KM. The findings revealed that there are knowledge gaps in research approaches with case study-based research involving external stakeholders, collaborations, development of communication protocols, which are priority areas identified for future research. SNA in KM related to construction could be extended to develop models that capture both formal and informal relationships as well as the KM process in pre-construction, construction, and post-construction stages to improve the performance of projects. Similarly, SNA can be integrated with methodological concepts, such as Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), knowledge broker, and so forth, to improve KM processes in construction. This study identifies potential research areas that provide the basis for stakeholders and academia to resolve current issues in the use of SNA for KM in construction

Review of supply chain based embodied carbon estimating method : a case study based analysis

Carbon estimating plays a vital role in the construction industry. The current focus on introducing zero-carbon construction projects reduces operational carbon, at the expense of Embodied Carbon (EC). However, it is important to reduce overall net carbon emissions. There are various methods to estimate carbon, but the accuracy of these estimates is questionable. This paper reviews a novel methodology, the Supply Chain based Embodied carbon Estimating Method (SCEEM), which was introduced recently to accurately estimate EC in construction supply chains. SCEEM is compared against existing EC estimating methods (Blackbook and eToolLCD) using a case study approach. It is also supplemented with a comprehensive literature review of existing EC methods. The EC values calculated using Blackbook and eToolLCD were mostly higher than SCEEM. Since SCEEM uses actual site data and considers first principles-based value addition method to estimate EC, it is considered accurate. The cross-case analysis revealed that SCEEM provided consistent results. Hence, SCEEM is recommended to accurately estimate EC of any type of project

Potential application of blockchain technology for embodied carbon estimating in construction supply chains

Carbon emissions are categorised as Embodied Carbon (EC) occurring in the production phase and Operational Carbon (OC) occurring in the operational phase of buildings. The current focus on producing zero-carbon buildings, emphasises reducing OC and ignores the importance of reducing EC emissions. This study focuses on EC. Methods available in EC estimating currently produce estimates that often do not complement each other. This makes it important to develop a robust and accurate methodology for estimating EC. Blockchain is an emerging technology that has significant potential for transaction processing in supply chains. The construction industry being the second least digitalised industry, the adoption of innovative technologies is predominantly important. This paper explores the potential application of blockchain for accurate estimation of EC in construction supply chains. A detailed literature review and expert interviews revealed that, compared to traditional information systems, blockchain systems could eliminate issues in EC estimating highlighting its potential credible application for EC estimating. Scalability was identified as a feature that was lacking in a blockchain system, however, for EC estimating, its impact was identified as minimal. It will be difficult to generalise the findings of the study due to interview based qualitative methodology adopted in this study along with the fact that blockchain is an emerging and fairly new technology. However, a similar process could be followed by other studies to compare blockchain with traditional information systems, to evaluate the suitability of blockchain technology to develop prototype systems

Measuring knowledge sharing processes through social network analysis within construction organisations

The construction industry is a knowledge intensive and information dependent industry. Organisations risk losing valuable knowledge, when the employees leave them. Therefore, construction organisations need to nurture opportunities to disseminate knowledge through strengthening knowledge-sharing networks. This study aimed at evaluating the formal and informal knowledge sharing methods in social networks within Australian construction organisations and identifying how knowledge sharing could be improved. Data were collected from two estimating teams in two case studies. The collected data through semi-structured interviews were analysed using UCINET, a Social Network Analysis (SNA) tool, and SNA measures. The findings revealed that one case study consisted of influencers, while the other demonstrated an optimal knowledge sharing structure in both formal and informal knowledge sharing methods. Social networks could vary based on the organisation as well as the individuals’ behaviour. Identifying networks with specific issues and taking steps to strengthen networks will enable to achieve optimum knowledge sharing processes. This research offers knowledge sharing good practices for construction organisations to optimise their knowledge sharing processes

Systematic review on stakeholder collaboration for a circular built environment : current research trends, gaps and future directions

Construction is one of the most impactful sectors in the use of resources, while having a complex network of stakeholders. To drive towards sustainable development, implementing circular economy (CE) principles in construction projects by connecting stakeholders has become a priority. This research explores the current trends in CE-research in construction and identifies gaps for future directions in connecting stakeholders for CE. Hence, a systematic literature review (quantitative and qualitative) was undertaken. The quantitative analysis identified a gradual increase of CE research in construction. The qualitative content analysis revealed that there is a tendency to adapt various models/frameworks, actions for CE adaption, strategies for stakeholder collaboration, and, digital technologies to connect stakeholders for CE. Lack of promoting CE is a key challenge that needs to be addressed for efficient stakeholder collaboration. Blockchain, could be an enabler for effective stakeholder collaboration for CE in construction and will be the way forward

Teaching building measurement principles to suit the transforming construction industry

With the wide use of computer-aided measurement currently practiced in the construction industry, the building measurement process taught within construction management undergraduate programmes needs to be revisited. It is observed that in most undergraduate teaching programmes, the traditional manual measurement process is introduced in detail to the students prior to software applications. As argued by key researchers in the quantity-surveying field, it is by understanding the basic principles in the traditional form that one would be able to adopt and extend to different forms available in relevant software programmes. While this argument is true to some extent, the traditional manual process currently taught to students demands them to learn too many rules and follow confusing steps, which would not be ultimately used in the practice. Recognising this issue, a simpler format that is compatible with most software was introduced in one of the construction management programmes, which is quite popular in Sydney, Australia. This paper discusses this new format and informal feedback received from students and teaching staff who used this format. With the positive outcomes that were received, it is hoped that a similar format could be used by other relevant programmes in an attempt to produce students who meet today’s industry demands

Blockchain for construction supply chains : a literature synthesis

Blockchain technology, founded a decade ago, has created a technological and innovative boost among industry and academia. Blockchain is a type of a decentralized distributed ledger where encrypted transactions of digital assets are recorded in an incorruptible manner. Numerous benefits and applications of Blockchains have resulted in it becoming increasingly popular among a broad spectrum of businesses. This research paper is based on the literature synthesis carried out on blockchain technology and its applications. Blockchain consists of several unique features such as decentralization, anonymity, security, immutability, trust among others. These features emphasise and fascinate users to adopt blockchain in various other industries. A public blockchain is open to any user who wishes to transact while a private blockchain is more controlled by its users. In a public blockchain miners validate the transactions and until most nodes reach consensus, the transactions will not be recorded in the block. In a private blockchain, a permissioned member of the blockchain would validate the transaction. Blockchain has revolutionized many industries by identifying various markets and opportunities and introducing various blockchain applications. Whereas Blockchain 1.0 was initially used for cryptocurrencies, Blockchain 2.0 is recognized for economic, market and financial applications and Blockchain 3.0 for applications beyond currency, finance and markets. This research intends to use Blockchain 3.0 applications where decentralized accounting process used in blockchains, will be applied to the purpose of accounting embodied carbon in construction supply chains

Technological advancements in green and sustainable construction

This chapter examines the technological advancements in promoting green and sustainable practices in the construction industry. Green and sustainable construction practices have in recent times become topical issues among construction researchers and practitioners. These have become necessary due to the quest to provide responses to mitigate the numerous negative environmental effects of the construction industry. The global construction industry contributes to 5.7 billion tons of carbon emissions, equalling to 23% of global carbon emissions from economic activities. Several global agreements including the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) all entreat the uptake of measures in minimising environmental impacts resulting from industries. Advancements in technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twin (DT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are aiding the promotion of green and sustainable practices. These technologies are used in the areas of carbon emissions reduction, energy consumption optimisation, carbon sequestration, construction waste management, whole life cycle costing, among others. Studying the utilisation of technologies relating to the advancement of green and sustainable construction practices provide interesting insights into the innovative processes implemented by researchers in minimising the construction industry’s environmental impacts. The findings of this chapter include the technologies in green and sustainable construction, carbon as a metric for judging sustainability, and state-of-the-art sustainable construction trends to resolve sustainability-related issues. Discussions on the implications of the findings on green and sustainable practices within the construction industry are presented with suggestions for future research

Embodied carbon mitigation strategies in the construction industry

The building sector contributes up to 36% of carbon emissions emphasizing the importance of carbon management. Carbon emissions in buildings are classified into two main types; embodied carbon and operational carbon. Operational carbon refers to emissions, which occur during the operational phase of a building. Embodied carbon is the fuel and process related carbon emitted during material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, construction, disposal and reuse. Creating zero carbon projects, where the operational carbon is reduced to zero, has become a trend, which may intern reduce operational carbon by adding to embodied carbon. Therefore, reducing the overall carbon emissions in construction projects, has become intricately important. Hence, the study aims at identifying embodied carbon mitigation strategies to reduce the embodied carbon emissions in construction projects. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to identify the embodied carbon mitigation strategies recognised by various researchers. The literature findings and the data gathered from a roundtable expert forum was analysed to derive at conclusions in this regard. 36 experts attended the expert forum, who actively participated in discussion and contributed to the findings. A total of 22 embodied carbon mitigation strategies were identified through literature and the expert forum. These mitigation strategies can be implemented by the industry practitioners to reduce the embodied carbon emissions in the construction projects

Conceptual model on estimating embodied carbon in construction supply chains using value chain and blockchain

Building construction contributes up to 40-50% of the global carbon emissions while Australian building sector accounts for about 36% of the overall carbon emissions. Thus, building industry is the key control point to create a low carbon economy thus ensuring a sustainable environment. Lifecycle carbon consists of Operational Carbon (OC) and Embodied Carbon (EC). The latest trend of introducing zero carbon projects focus on reducing OC through usage of various materials such as insulation, triple glazing among others, which contribute to increase of the EC in the building. Hence, focus should be on reducing overall net carbon emission, not OC alone. Thus, the study focuses on reducing the EC of construction projects. EC estimating can be carried out using different databases and tools. However, due to the issues existent in these databases and tools, the accuracy of the EC estimates prepared using these databases and tools is questionable. Therefore, it is intricately important to introduce an accurate methodology of estimating EC. Hence, the study is aimed at identifying the issues existent in carbon estimating and proposing a conceptual model on estimating EC in construction supply chains accurately. The proposed methodology eliminates the existent issues in carbon estimating