Analysing the Influence of Offsite Construction Logistics on the Performance of Construction Projects

Abstract

Coordinating the logistics of workers, equipment and materials from varying locations can be challenging. This is a concern for project managers because disruptions in construction work leads to losses in production and business. Research into offsite logistics in construction tends to focus on factors that can optimise the performance of construction logistics. Another theme in the literature focuses on the application of digital technologies in construction logistics. However, investigations that examine the dynamics associated with offsite construction logistics and their implications on the performance of construction projects is limited. This study analyses the influence of offsite construction logistics on project performance. This study adopted a survey approach with a structured questionnaire that was administered to 200 construction practitioners and obtained data from 176 respondents on key aspects of offsite construction logistics indicating an 88% response rate with a reliability of 0.911. The results of this study revealed that integrating construction equipment and digital technologies in offsite operations has a positive and significant influence on the time performance of construction projects. The findings of this study are of value to construction professionals struggling to manage disruptions or delays and seeking to improve the way they manage offsite logistics involving multiple parties. The study contributes to the literature on construction logistics by extending our understanding on key aspects of offsite logistics that significantly impact on the performance of construction projects. This study argues that offsite construction logistics can be managed to overcome disruptions or delays by integrating the use of digital technologies in monitoring work flow and construction equipment in concrete works amongst others.