Dobrucali, E; Sadikoglu, E; Demirkesen, S; Zhang, C; Tezel, A and Kiral, I A (2024) A bibliometric analysis of digital technologies use in construction health and safety. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(8), pp. 3249-3282. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Construction is a risky industry. Therefore, organizations are seeking ways towards improving their safety performance. Among these, the integration of technology into health and safety leads to enhanced safety performance. Considering the benefits observed in using technology in safety, this study aims to explore digital technologies' use and potential benefits in construction health and safety. Design/methodology/approach: An extensive bibliometrics analysis was conducted to reveal which technologies are at the forefront of others and how these technologies are used in safety operations. The study used two different databases, Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus, to scan the literature in a systemic way. Findings: The systemic analysis of several studies showed that the digital technologies use in construction are still a niche theme and need more assessment. The study provided that sensors and wireless technology are of utmost importance in terms of construction safety. Moreover, the study revealed that artificial intelligence, machine learning, building information modeling (BIM), sensors and wireless technologies are trending technologies compared to unmanned aerial vehicles, serious games and the Internet of things. On the other hand, the study provided that the technologies are even more effective with integrated use like in the case of BIM and sensors or unmanned aerial vehicles. It was observed that the use of these technologies varies with respect to studies conducted in different countries. The study further revealed that the studies conducted on this topic are mostly published in some selected journals and international collaboration efforts in terms of researching the topic have been observed. Originality/value: This study provides an extensive analysis of WoS and Scopus databases and an in-depth review of the use of digital technologies in construction safety. The review consists of the most recent studies showing the benefits of using such technologies and showing the usage on a systemic level from which both scientists and practitioners can benefit to devise new strategies in technology usage.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | bibliometrics analysis; construction safety; digital technologies |
| Index terms: | building information modelling, database, unmanned aerial vehicle, artificial intelligence, internet, health and safety, bibliometric analysis, journal, science, strategy, bibliometrics, practitioner, integration, methodology, collaboration, safety performance, machine learning, digital technology, construction safety |
| Subjects: | research dissemination and communication, practitioner, computing systems, specialized education, artificial intelligence, research methods, management, health safety and environment, automation and robotics, data management, occupational health and safety management, research evaluation and metrics, organizational analysis, information systems, environmental health |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Education, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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