Game theory integration in construction management: A comprehensive approach to cost, risk, and coordination under uncertainty

Shehadeh, A and Alshboul, O (2025) Game theory integration in construction management: A comprehensive approach to cost, risk, and coordination under uncertainty. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(5): 04025039, ISSN 0733-9364

Abstract

This study leverages game theory to address three interrelated challenges in construction management: cost allocation for blockchain technology, risk assessment in production planning, and coordination among stakeholders under conditions of uncertainty. Utilizing cooperative game theory and the Shapley value model, the research identifies a methodologically sound approach for the economically rational allocation of development and operational costs in blockchain-based management systems. In a novel application, stochastic frontier analysis and the weighted Shapley value model predict cost savings of up to 15% under cooperative scenarios compared to noncooperative approaches. For risk evaluation in multiperiod production planning, integrating the average value at risk with the Shapley value demonstrates a 20% increase in risk mitigation efficiency over traditional methods, addressing correlated and uncertain demands without strict probability distributions. A game-theoretic model developed for coordinating a manufacturer with multiple suppliers optimizes production, inventory, and pricing, reducing costs by 18% and inventory misalignments by 25% under demand uncertainty and asymmetric information. These findings underscore the practical utility of game-theoretic models in enhancing decision-making processes in the evolving construction management landscape, providing theoretical insights and empirical validations for cost-efficient, resilient, and effectively coordinated construction management practices.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: blockchain technology; game theory; production planning; shapley value
Index terms: risk mitigation, pricing, probability distribution, integration, management system, game theory, inventory, misalignment, decision-making process, efficiency, cost saving, risk assessment, management practice, manufacturer, validation, production planning, blockchain, coordination
Subjects: decision models, economics, practitioner, organizational analysis, professional development, inventory management, computing systems, decision analysis, engineering problems, statistical analysis, financial risk, performance management, economic analysis, management, project delivery
Topics: Business Strategy, Research Practice, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Cost Management, Quality Management, Digital Applications, Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Information Management, 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