Ekanayake, E M A C; Shen, G Q; Kumaraswamy, M and Owusu, E K (2021) Critical supply chain vulnerabilities affecting supply chain resilience of industrialized construction in Hong Kong. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 28(10), pp. 3041-3059. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Industrialized construction (IC) has been recognized as a game-changing approach in Hong Kong (HK). However, the increasing risks of disruptions in IC supply chains (SCs) raise SC vulnerability levels, prompting attention to developing supply chain resilience (SCR). Since SCR is only attainable through overcoming critical supply chain vulnerabilities (CSCV) with enhanced SC capabilities, this study first aimed to determine the most CSCV of ICSCs by addressing this current research gap and practical need. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on SCV factors identified from a precursor literature review, an empirical study of IC in HK was conducted using a questionnaire survey and interviews with industry experts. Focussed significance analysis of the data collected through questionnaire survey enabled the selection of 26 CSCV as appropriate to IC. Next, factor analysis was conducted, enabling the grouping of these CSCV under five components. The results were verified and reinforced by interview findings. Findings: The results revealed 26 CSCV pertinent to resilient ICSCs in HK with five underlying components: economic, technological, procedural, organizational and production-based vulnerabilities. Loss of skilled labour is the most critical vulnerability, whereas organizational SCV is the most critical component identified. Originality/value: Findings of this study would motivate IC project professionals to appreciate and address the CSCV in the context of five components and thereby develop adequate specific capabilities to successfully withstand these CSCV. This should trigger future studies to map CSCV with appropriate capabilities in developing an envisaged powerful assessment model for evaluating the SCR in IC in HK.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | critical supply chain vulnerabilities; industrialized construction; supply chain resilience; supply chain vulnerabilities |
| Index terms: | factor analysis, empirical study, future study, Hong Kong, supply chain resilience, questionnaire, vulnerability, methodology, industrialized construction, skilled labour, interview, survey, drawing, literature review |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, technical documentation, supply chain resilience, data collection methods, construction type, research design and methodology, environmental hazards, statistical analysis, Geography, management, research methods |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Design Practice, Construction Technology, Sustainability, Research Practice, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here