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Industrialized construction in the Swedish infrastructure sector: core elements and barriers

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Listed:
  • Johan Larsson
  • Per Erik Eriksson
  • Thomas Olofsson
  • Peter Simonsson

Abstract

Improving productivity and innovation is a central challenge in all industries, but particularly in construction where improvements have been slow. To meet this challenge, a recent investigation into the actions of Swedish government clients has recognized needs to improve planning during project procurement phases, increase numbers of turnkey contracts and raise industrialization of the sector. In response, the Swedish Transportation Administration has launched a research and innovation programme to foster an industrial approach and identify ways to increase the standardization of products and processes. However, increasing industrialization has been difficult to achieve in the project-based construction industry except in the process-based housing sector. Further, there has been little research on the concept of industrialized infrastructure construction and barriers to its implementation. Opinions and attitudes of clients, consultants and contractors in the infrastructure sector were investigated in relation to the core elements of industrialized construction, and the barriers hindering its development. Opportunities and obstacles related to both product and process standardization for continuous improvements and the relationships between clients and contractors are revealed. Hence, the implementation of industrialized construction requires tightly focused governance at the outset of projects and profound changes to established attitudes, norms and regulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Larsson & Per Erik Eriksson & Thomas Olofsson & Peter Simonsson, 2014. "Industrialized construction in the Swedish infrastructure sector: core elements and barriers," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1-2), pages 83-96, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:32:y:2014:i:1-2:p:83-96
    DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2013.833666
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nick Blismas & Christine Pasquire & Alistair Gibb, 2006. "Benefit evaluation for off-site production in construction," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 121-130.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lisa Larsson & Johan Larsson, 2018. "Sustainable Development in Project-Based Industries–Supporting the Realization of Explorative Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Guangbin Wang & Huan Liu & Heng Li & Xiaochun Luo & Jiaxi Liu, 2020. "A Building Project-Based Industrialized Construction Maturity Model Involving Organizational Enablers: A Multi-Case Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-35, May.
    3. Shengxi Zhang & Zhongfu Li & Shengbin Ma & Long Li & Mengqi Yuan, 2022. "Critical Factors Influencing Interface Management of Prefabricated Building Projects: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.

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