Golizadeh, H; Hosseini, M R; Martek, I; Edwards, D; Gheisari, M; Banihashemi, S and Zhang, J (2020) Scientometric analysis of research on “remotely piloted aircraft”: A research agenda for the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(3), pp. 634-657. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems have emerged as an established tool within the construction industry. Concurrent with this trend has been the rise in research on RPA, establishing this as a new field of study within the construction management domain. What is needed now is an assessment of the current state of research in this emerging discipline – its strengths and weaknesses – by which future research on RPA in construction may be guided. The purpose of this paper is to address this need. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 59 peer-reviewed journal articles covering RPAs within the construction domain were systematically reviewed using a mixed-methods approach, utilizing qualitative-scientometric analyses techniques. Findings: The results reveal a field of study in its fledgling stage, with a limited number of experts operating somewhat in isolation, from a limited number of institutions. Key publication outlets are identified, with the main focus of research being in the technical areas of remote sensing, photogrammetry and image processing. Practical implications: The study benefits researchers and industry practitioners alike. For researchers, the identified gaps reveal areas of high priority in future research. For construction companies, particularly small to medium-sized businesses, the study raises awareness of the latest developments and potential applicability of RPAs in the industry. Originality/value: The study exposes what is missing from current research: a broader consideration of organizational adjustments needed to accommodate RPA usage, economic analyses and impediments to wider acceptance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction equipment; digital engineering; digitalization; drones; information and communication technology applications; innovation; research agenda; unmanned aerial vehicles |
| Index terms: | construction industry, methodology, unmanned aerial vehicle, journal, research agenda, digitalization, economic analysis, practitioner, construction company, drone, remote sensing, construction equipment, image processing, information and communication technology, publication |
| Subjects: | design analysis, construction equipment, organization, automation and robotics, research products and data, research dissemination and communication, computing systems, computer vision, research management, digital technology, industry analysis, research methods, practitioner |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Research Practice, Plant and Equipment, Sustainability, Information Management, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions |
| 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