Gremyr, I; Bäckstrand, J; Fredriksson, A; Gatenholm, G and Halldórsson, Á (2023) Blueprinting construction logistics services for quality improvement. Construction Management and Economics, 41(1), pp. 60-78. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
Construction logistics services can, if implemented with high quality, positively impact both efficiency and sustainability of construction projects. However, present quality management frameworks have not been developed for temporary multi-actor contexts, such as construction, which is largely lacking industrialised processes. Still, construction logistics service providers provide service offerings to temporary settings and could thus benefit from a service quality perspective. Applying this perspective, this study supports the quality improvement of construction logistics services by using a service modularity approach to identify the services to prioritise for improvement. Building on interviews, concept mapping, and a service blueprint of a construction logistics setup, a priority matrix for improvements is developed. The first step in using this matrix is to operationalise the construction logistics setup in modules based on blueprinting. Second, the matrix evaluates the modules against nine empirically derived improvement enablers such as practices and forums for learning, and data measurements enabling the comparison and follow-up of construction logistics services. In conclusion, the priority matrix helps focus the improvements on modules with high likelihood of successful improvements. Improvements that can become sustained over time through the reuse of standardised modules in upcoming projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction logistics service; priority matrix; quality improvement; service blueprint; service modularity |
| Index terms: | module, construction logistics, quality management, efficiency, quality improvement, construction project, service quality, concept mapping, interview, modularity |
| Subjects: | project delivery, construction logistics, data collection methods, quality assurance, design flexibility, decision analysis, production management, performance management, performance measurement, architectural elements |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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