A Review on Research of Prefabricated Building Costs: Exploring Collaborations, Intellectual Basis, and Research Trends

Hui Liu () and Nazirah Zainul Abidin ()
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Hui Liu: School of Housing, Building and Planning, University Sains Malaysia (USM), Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Nazirah Zainul Abidin: School of Housing, Building and Planning, University Sains Malaysia (USM), Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-30

Abstract: This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of current research regarding prefabricated construction costs, explained under three main categories: collaboration, intellectual basis, and research trends. The collaboration network covers country, institution, and journal distribution. Intellectual basis includes a cited journal, cited reference, and cited author, while research trends cover research category, keyword and keyword cluster analysis, and cited reference cluster. Through bibliometric analysis, we find that this field has garnered significant attention in the academic community and has developed rapidly. China dominates the field of prefabricated construction, with Curtin University, Chongqing University, and Deakin University being the leading research institutions, while Automation in Construction is the most cited journal. Although technology integration is widely regarded as a key means of cost optimization, its high implementation costs and complexity have limited its widespread application. The challenges of technology integration lie in the need to address high capital costs, complex management practices, and the demand for advanced technology integration, which have become significant barriers to the promotion of prefabricated construction. Moreover, current research also focuses on how to enhance risk control and management practices in cost management to promote sustainable development. Future research will focus on green and sustainable technologies, multidisciplinary engineering, energy and fuel, construction technologies to optimize prefabricated construction techniques, advance low-carbon building practices, and improve decision analysis and risk management. The key factors influencing costs include technological factor, policy factors, market and environmental factors, and organizational management. By systematically controlling these factors, cost pressures can be effectively alleviated, construction efficiency improved, and the sustainability of prefabricated buildings enhanced. This study not only provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state and trends in research on the costs of prefabricated construction but also highlights the critical role of technological innovation, policy optimization, and interdisciplinary collaboration in promoting the sustainable development of prefabricated construction globally.

Keywords: cost; prefabricated buildings; research collaboration; research trends; intellectual basis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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