Navon, R; Kelly, P W and Johnston, D W (1993) Human factors in introducing on-site construction automation. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 119(4), pp. 801-812. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Implementation of automation and robotics is being considered by segments of the construction industry as part of an overall program to increase productivity, safety, and quality, and to remain competitive in the face of growing global competition. The limited experience of applying robots to construction, together with conclusions drawn on the basis of robotic applications in related areas, show that developing efficient robotic systems alone will not ensure successful implementation. Significant resistance was observed in the manufacturing industry, which seriously impeded successful implementation. In addition to this, the conservative nature of the construction industry suggests potentially significant levels of resistance to the introduction of project-level automation and robotics. The present paper reviews several limited introductions of automation into the construction industry and finds evidence of resistance. The sources and the causes of resistance to the introduction of automation and robotics, as experienced in selected manufacturing industries, are summarized, followed by an exploration of their applicability to construction. A strategy for the implementation of an automated system is developed, relating to resistance to automation elements and successful reduction actions in manufacturing.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | program, exploration, evidence, competition, human factor, face, strategy, manufacturing industry, robotics, automation, construction industry, implementation, productivity |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, psychology, environmental resource management, evaluation and assessment methods, industry analysis, occupational health and safety management, market analysis, automation and robotics, management, software systems |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Procurement, Digital Applications, 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