Emerging paradigms and practices in construction equipment management

Construction equipment management (CEM) of heavy machinery is critical to the success of infrastructure projects. The primary goals of CEM have been to focus on aspects of productivity improvement, cost reduction, and implementation of tracking technologies; however, a comprehensive review of CEM practices has been long overlooked. Therefore, this paper intends to analyze the current status and development of understanding CEM through a systematic literature review (SLR) to provide a state-of-the-art taxonomy and an integrated framework based on emerging themes that practitioners and researchers can use to guide practical issues. The SLR used a sample of 229 CEM articles identified using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework to conduct a peer-review study of journal articles since 1984. A hybrid domain-based approach was used to identify central themes, subthemes, systemic features, evolution, and various perspectives and directions for developing a CEM framework. The taxonomy used in this study identified dominant and emerging CEM practices to classify them into 48 subthemes (activities) and 11 themes (key practices): decision-making, optimization, technological adoption, performance measurement, innovation, energy management, operator management, health and safety management, environmental aspects, equipment management policies, and record management. The study mapped multiple themes and subthemes using the integrated framework based on a thorough understanding of CEM practices comprising complex interactions of social, technical, and sociotechnical feedback loops. Our research identifies three major theoretical underpinnings in the current context: the relevance of existing CEM practices, their evolution, and the paradigm shift in response to advancements in infrastructure construction. The developed taxonomy and the integrated framework of this study extensively contribute to the current body of knowledge by comparing studies across different countries and economies to clarify complex concepts and fill gaps in the literature, which can lead to innovations in practices and policies related to CEM. Practical Applications: This SLR has showcased several applications for researchers and practitioners of CEM. The state-of-the-art taxonomy developed in this study serves as the foundation for CEM research by demonstrating its legitimacy, and evolution. Research themes identified across impactful countries and influential economies can serve as a useful resource for the research community and practitioners looking to leverage their knowledge. The integrated CEM framework can be a potential tool to assess equipment-related risks at the project initiation stage to mitigate social impacts at the execution stage, thereby, enhancing the project value. Our recommendations for equipment design aspects such as maintainability, durability, and recyclability can reinforce sustainable CEM practices to serve as a platform for doing empirical research. These CEM practices can be adopted to transform organizational capabilities for developing resilience and reliable equipment management systems that lead to efficient operations.