Edwards, D J and Holt, G D (2009) Construction plant and equipment management research: Thematic review. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 7(2), pp. 186-206. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: A literature review is presented in the subject of construction plant and equipment management (CPeM) to: delineate the subject; consider its development over recent years; and identify principal themes within it. The paper aims to close the gap in knowledge, by using these objectives as a mechanism to observe how research themes relate to primary CPeM functions, and to suggest future research direction. Design/methodology/approach: A thematic review of CPeM academic literature (in the main, refereed journal papers published in English-speaking countries over the last decade) is undertaken; the nature of identified themes is discussed, for instance, regarding why they might have evolved as they have; and based on the foregone, themes for future research in the field are proffered. Findings: CPeM is found well established within the broader subject of construction management. Eight principal themes are identified, namely plant maintenance; downtime and productivity; optimisation; robotics and automation; health and safety; operators and competence; machine control; and "miscellaneous". Research limitations/implications: It is proffered that based on informational/technological advancements coupled with growing environmental/financial pressures, future CPeM research will strive to facilitate even greater plant reliability and safer modes of working. It is suggested that "optimum production methods" and "minimal resource consumption" will become inherent theme goals. Originality/value: This is the first time that CPeM research has been consolidated and reviewed for publication in this manner.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction equipment; plant maintenance; research work |
| Index terms: | robotics, automation, resource consumption, construction plant, construction equipment, productivity, competence, methodology, publication, health and safety, literature review, equipment management, journal |
| Subjects: | health safety and environment, automation and robotics, personnel development, construction equipment, management, research methods, data analysis and analytics, operational management, environmental resource management, research dissemination and communication |
| Topics: | Plant and Equipment, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Information Management, Digital Applications, Human Resources |
| 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