Effect on Labor Productivity Due to Construction Digitalization: A Pilot Study

8 pages•Published: May 26, 2024

Sanjeev Adhikari, Chidi Ogbuagu, Sandeep Langar and Rachel Mosier

Abstract

This research was conducted to analyze the impacts of the growing technology and implementation of Construction Digitalization with the 4th revolution in the construction industry and how it has affected labor productivity. Industry 4.0 is a formation of technologies that digitize, mechanize, and merge the construction process at different stages. With the growing trends of digitalization, there have been various predictions as to how this will positively or negatively affect the workforce for both skilled and unskilled labor. The negative effects have mainly been predicted to impact unskilled workers while slightly affecting skilled workers significantly. This research is aimed at determining the impacts of the adoption of digitalization on labor productivity. This study used an online survey method hosted by Qualtrics and was emailed to industry professionals and students in April 2023. The study also utilized literature reviews of articles related to the topic from 2010 until 2023 to analyze trends in the adoption of digitalization on labor productivity accurately. While the majority of respondents agreed that Construction 4.0 would be a great addition to the industry, the survey found that some companies still have not adopted the concept and did not have a plan for it. The literature review did not raise any major concern about the cost and suggested that any cost incurred would be offset in the long run. In conclusion, while this is a great concept, more research will need to be conducted before the concept is universally agreed upon.

Keyphrases: construction 4.0, digitalization, mechanization, productivity, workforce

In: Tom Leathem, Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud (editors). Proceedings of 60th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference, vol 5, pages 704-711.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/gStb
	https://doi.org/10.29007/svrg

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2024:Effect_Labor_Productivity_Due,
  author    = {Sanjeev Adhikari and Chidi Ogbuagu and Sandeep Langar and Rachel Mosier},
  title     = {Effect on Labor Productivity Due to Construction Digitalization: A Pilot Study},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of 60th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference},
  editor    = {Tom Leathem and Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {5},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/gStb},
  doi       = {10.29007/svrg},
  pages     = {704-711},
  year      = {2024}}

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