TY - GEN
T1 - Contractors of the Future
T2 - Future Technologies Conference, FTC 2025
AU - Karim, Elisha M.
AU - Aigbavboa, Clinton
AU - Otasowie, Kenneth
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
PY - 2026
Y1 - 2026
N2 - The study examines the transformative potential of Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D printing technologies in the construction industry of Liberia. The research methodology involved a comprehensive literature review from 2011 to 2025, starting with an initial set of 213 documents. These documents were rigorously analysed for significance and credibility, resulting in a focused selection of 173 documents by March 2025. A bibliometric analysis was done using VOSviewer to visualise connections in scientific literature. By establishing a minimum of 7 occurrences for keywords, key variables, and trends in the field were able to be identified. The study emphasised the advantages of adopting these technologies, including enhanced efficiency, improved teamwork, and sustainability in construction practices. It also acknowledges the role of innovative transformation, driven by digital technologies and smart manufacturing, in shaping the future of construction. The findings suggest that making use of IoT and 3D printing can improve construction practices by reducing waste, cutting costs, and speeding up project completion. Overall, the study contributes to understanding the landscape of Industry 4.0 innovations, especially IoT and 3D printing, and their implications for contractors in Liberia, offering insights into the future of construction practices in the country.
AB - The study examines the transformative potential of Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D printing technologies in the construction industry of Liberia. The research methodology involved a comprehensive literature review from 2011 to 2025, starting with an initial set of 213 documents. These documents were rigorously analysed for significance and credibility, resulting in a focused selection of 173 documents by March 2025. A bibliometric analysis was done using VOSviewer to visualise connections in scientific literature. By establishing a minimum of 7 occurrences for keywords, key variables, and trends in the field were able to be identified. The study emphasised the advantages of adopting these technologies, including enhanced efficiency, improved teamwork, and sustainability in construction practices. It also acknowledges the role of innovative transformation, driven by digital technologies and smart manufacturing, in shaping the future of construction. The findings suggest that making use of IoT and 3D printing can improve construction practices by reducing waste, cutting costs, and speeding up project completion. Overall, the study contributes to understanding the landscape of Industry 4.0 innovations, especially IoT and 3D printing, and their implications for contractors in Liberia, offering insights into the future of construction practices in the country.
KW - 3D printing
KW - Construction industry
KW - Contractors
KW - Internet of things
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105021838331
U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-07992-3_13
DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-07992-3_13
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:105021838331
SN - 9783032079916
T3 - Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
SP - 178
EP - 196
BT - Proceedings of the Future Technologies Conference, FTC 2025, Volume 4
A2 - Arai, Kohei
PB - Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Y2 - 6 November 2025 through 7 November 2025
ER -