Fadiya, O O (2012) Development of an integrated decision analysis framework for selecting ICT-based logistics systems in the construction industry. PhD thesis, University of Wolverhampton, UK.
Abstract
The current application of logistics in the construction industry is relatively inefficient when compared with other industries such as retail and manufacturing. The factors attributed to this inefficiency include the fragmented and short-term nature of construction process and inadequate tracking facilities on site. The inefficiency of construction logistics creates inter alia loss of materials and equipment, waste, construction delay, excessive cost and collision accident on site. Meanwhile, several information and communication technologies (ICT) have been proposed and developed by researchers to improve logistics functions such as tracking and monitoring of resources through the supply chain to the construction site. Such technologies include global positioning system (GPS), radio frequency identification devices (RFID), wireless sensors network (WSN) and geographical information system (GIS). While considerable research has been undertaken to develop the aforementioned systems, limited work has so far been done on investment justification prior to implementation. In this research, a framework has been developed to assess the extent of construction logistics problems, measure the significances of the problems, match the problems with existing ICT-based solutions and develop a robust ready-to-use multi-criteria analysis tool that can quantify the costs and benefits of implementing several ICT-based construction logistics systems. The tool is an integrated platform of related evaluation techniques such as Fault Tree Analysis, Decision Tree Analysis, Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Multi-Attribute Utility Theory. Prior to the development of this tool, data was collected through questionnaire survey and analysed by means of statistical analysis in order to derive some foundational parameters of the tool. Quantitative research method was adopted for data collection because the processes of the tool for which the data was required are quantitative. The implementation of this tool is novel given the integration of the analytical techniques mentioned above and the application of the tool for selecting ICT-based construction logistics systems. The tool takes in data such as cost and quantities of materials for a building project and quantifies the cost and benefits of alternative ICT-based tracking systems that can improve the logistics functions of the project. The application of the tool will eliminate guesswork on the benefits of ICT-based tracking systems by providing an objective platform for the quantification of cost and benefits of the systems prior to implementation.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cost benefit analysis; decision analysis; implementation; logistics; prototype development; questionnaire survey; plant theft |
| Index terms: | information and communication technology, cost benefit analysis, evaluation technique, theft, survey, prototype, construction site, fault-tree analysis, questionnaire, integration, construction process, construction delay, information system, quantitative research, platform, radio frequency identification, multi-attribute utility theory, quantification, statistical analysis, decision analysis, life cycle cost analysis, decision tree, construction logistics, monitoring, construction industry, implementation |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, digital technology, criminal law, evaluation and assessment methods, decision-making and optimization, building construction, digital design, data analysis and analytics, data science, modelling and simulation, work location, computing systems, control systems, construction logistics, risk management, data collection methods, information systems, industry analysis, decision analysis, measurement and scaling, project controls, organizational analysis, economics |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Procurement, Risk Management, Supply Chain Management, Legal Issues, Research Practice, Cost Management, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Site Management, Time Control |
| 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