Critical evaluation of off-site construction research: A Scientometric analysis

M. Reza Hosseini, Igor Martek, Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas, Ajibade A. Aibinu, Mehrdad Arashpour, Nicholas Chileshe

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

462 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Practical interest in ‘off-site construction’ has risen remarkably over the last decade, and with it there has been a burgeoning of academic research in the field. Complementing this research, a number of literature reviews have been conducted. None, however, are systematic. This study addresses this lack, offering the first bibliometric study to explore the state of off-site construction research (OCR). A quantitative approach using ‘science mapping’ techniques is employed to examine 501 top-ranked construction journal articles. Longitudinal trends in publishing are identified, as are dominant research sub-fields, their connectedness with other areas of study, as well as citation patterns, publication journal areas of focus, key research institutions, key research persons, along with the extent to which these interact with each other in research networks. The findings are instructive in identifying the deficiencies in current research. Among these is a bias towards product research over operations and management, and a sharp compartmentalization of sub-fields, with little or no cross-fertilization between researcher areas, the researchers themselves, nor the research institutions. Clearly, this awareness will inform industry, journal editors and researchers of the need for a deeper exchange of ideas in any future research efforts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)235-247
Number of pages13
JournalAutomation in Construction
Volume87
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bibliometric
  • Critical review
  • Off-site construction
  • Research
  • Scientometric analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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