Elghaish, F; Matarneh, S T; Edwards, D J; Pour Rahimian, F; El-Gohary, H and Ejohwomu, O (2022) Applications of industry 4.0 digital technologies towards a construction circular economy: Gap analysis and conceptual framework. Construction Innovation, 22(3), pp. 647-670. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to explore the emerging relationship between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) digital technologies (e.g. blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI)) and the construction industry’s gradual transition into a circular economy (CE) system to foster the adoption of circular economy in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: A critical and thematic analysis conducted on 115 scientific papers reveals a noticeable growth in adopting digital technologies to leverage a CE system. Moreover, a conceptual framework is developed to show the interrelationship between different I4.0 technologies to foster the implantation of CE in the construction industry. Findings: Most of the existing bodies of research provide conceptual solutions rather than developing workable applications and the future of smart cities. Moreover, the coalescence of different technologies is highly recommended to enable tracking of building assets' and components' (e.g. fixtures and fittings and structural components) performance, which enables users to optimize the salvage value of components reusing or recycling them just in time and extending assets' operating lifetime. Finally, circular supply chain management must be adopted for both new and existing buildings to realise the industry's CE ambitions. Hence, further applied research is required to foster CE adoption for existing cities and infrastructure that connects them. Originality/value: This paper investigates the interrelationships between most emerging digital technologies and circular economy and concludes with the development of a conceptual digital ecosystem to integrate IoT, blockchain and AI into the operation of assets to direct future practical research applications
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | artificial intelligence; blockchain; construction circular economy; emerging digital technologies; industry 4.0; internet of things |
| Index terms: | conceptual framework, digital technology, just-in-time, thematic analysis, scientific paper, methodology, artificial intelligence, blockchain, construction industry, internet, circular economy, smart city, recycling, salvage, gap analysis, industry 4.0 |
| Subjects: | lean logistics, industry analysis, research methods, performance measurement, theoretical framing, methods and analysis, sustainable design, artificial intelligence, technology adoption, research dissemination and communication, urban sustainability, computing systems, waste management |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Sustainability, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 CTA |
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