Sherratt, F; Dowsett, R and Sherratt, S (2020) Construction 4.0 and its potential impact on people working in the construction industry. Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers: Management, Procurement and Law, 173(4), pp. 145-152. ISSN 17514304
Abstract
Construction 4.0 is bringing change to the industry through digitisation and technological innovation. Such change deliberately impacts 'traditional' ways of working, as it actively seeks to disrupt the norm and so enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of construction project delivery. Yet technology is not neutral; it brings with it an autonomy and an amorality that is potentially a cause for concern. The authors used Ellul's theory of technique, as associated with technology, to unpack Construction 4.0 from critical perspectives and explore the potential it has to bring social and ethical challenges to the industry and specifically its people. For example, trade workers may become usurped by technologies that automate their work, while professionals may find their roles within the design, engineering and construction processes become more heavily influenced and shaped by the technologies themselves. Indeed, the role of the 'technology owner' may become more powerful than any traditional profession in the future as they become dominant actors within the construction industry space. This paper aims to stimulate discussion and debate in this area and encourage the development of a more critical voice to supplement the technocratic optimism that currently surrounds Construction 4.0.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | information technology; management; social impact |
| Index terms: | efficiency, construction 4.0, owner, profession, effectiveness, technological innovation, construction industry, social impact, construction project delivery, construction process, information technology |
| Subjects: | innovation and technology management, digital engineering, institututions, building construction, computing systems, project controls, sociology, industry analysis, performance management |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Engineering Principles, Time Control, Site Management, Digital Applications, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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