Construction 4.0 Digital Maturity Model Development [védés előtt]

Abstract

The construction industry faces growing pressure to adopt efficient tools and processes to meet the demands of providing solutions for labour shortages, rising global population, sustainability goals and technological backlog. These challenges manifest a significant economic impact on construction companies, resulting in only a one per cent productivity increase until 2020. A growing body of literature has been published focusing on Construction 4.0, which offers promising solutions. This phenomenon encompasses integrating advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Building Information Modelling, the Internet of Things, and Construction Robotics, to address productivity and sustainability challenges. Despite technological advancements, a significant research gap exists in developing a systematic approach to integrate diverse technologies effectively. This indicates a need to understand the various pillars of construction companies' digital maturity that can further drive the industry’s productivity. The present dissertation aims to address the identified gap by developing a Construction 4.0 Digital Maturity Model. The purpose of the Construction 4.0 Maturity Model is to provide a robust framework for evaluating digital transformation in construction companies. The C4MM has been demonstrated to offer distinct advantages in addressing integration challenges, identifying areas for improvement, solving problems resulting from Construction 4.0, and implementing targeted strategies to enhance productivity and innovation. By applying Design Science methodology, this dissertation aims to create a C4MM that addresses these gaps and provides a robust framework for evaluating digital transformation in the construction sector. The dissertation follows an iterative process during model development through literature review, qualitative research, ontology development, and case studies. The results of the final iteration evaluate the following six key dimensions: Culture and Knowledge Management, Digital Synchronisation, IT Management, Organisation and Structure, Process Management, and Technology for Construction 4.0. Applying ontology engineering ensured precise model verification and provided a machine-readable format to be the foundation of an AI-based maturity assessment system development.