COVER FEATURE
INGENIEUR
Construction 4.0 to Transform the Malaysian Construction Industry
By Ahmad Farhan Roslan 1 , Nuramin Baslan 1 , Nadia Safura 1 , Mohd Khairolden Ghani 1 , Rohaizi Mohd Jusoh 1 Zuhairi Abd . Hamid 2 , S Nurulshima Syed Aluwi 2 , Gerald Sundaraj 2 , Eeydzah Aminuddin 4 , 5 , Nur Izieadiana Abidin 4 , Santi Edra Nisa Lau 4 , Helen Tan Sui
Hong 4
Construction 4.0 is the term used to represent the fourth industrial revolution for the construction industry . It describes the increasing level of digitisation of the industry , changing how infrastructure , real estate and other built assets are designed , constructed , operated , and maintained . The 12 emerging technologies listed in the Construction 4.0 Strategic Plan ( 2021-2025 ) act as the main catalyst .
The construction industry plays an important role in global economic growth . Over the past 40 years , previous statistics have demonstrated the significant relationship between the construction industry and economic growth in countries worldwide ( Dehdasht et al . 2021 ; Lopes , Oliveira , and Abreu 2017 ; Musarat , Alaloul , and Liew 2021 ; Pheng and Hou 2019 ). The entire construction process , starting from the production of building materials and components , professional services such as design and project management , construction processes on-site , and operations and management , contribute extensively to economic growth across other sectors ( Hilal , Maqsood , and Abdekhodaee 2019 ; Pheng and Hou 2019 ). It was highlighted that the entire supply chain in the construction industry is critical to national wealth creation with significant multiplier effects on the economy ( Chan 2010 ; Khan , Liew , and Ghazali 2014 ). The construction industry has a two-times multiplier effect on another 120 sectors relying on construction for their progress and sustainability ( Rashidi and Ibrahim 2017 ). With more than 1.2 million job opportunities generated by the construction industry , the Malaysian construction industry plays a remarkable role in socio-economic growth by providing employment opportunities and income sources .
Even though the construction industry has a significant influence on the socio-economic aspects of a nation ( Khan et al . 2014 ), transformation in many aspects is needed to ensure competitiveness . Due to globalisation , the construction industry ’ s future will depend on innovative techniques , smart industrial processes , digitalisation and automation , and a skilled workforce ( Alaloul et al . 2021 ; Craveiro et al . 2019 ; García de Soto et al . 2019 ). The shift towards this approach requires the construction industry to undergo radical process changes by adopting digital technologies .
1
Construction Research Institute of Malaysia
2
Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia
4
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
5
UTM Construction Research Center , Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
6 VOL 88 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2021