Examining the readiness of artificial intelligence in construction logistics

• Main Author: Lau, Sin Ying
• Format: Final Year Project / Dissertation / Thesis
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: TH Building construction
• Online Access: http://eprints.utar.edu.my/5186/1/1602676_FYP_Report_%2D_SIN_YING_LAU.pdf; http://eprints.utar.edu.my/5186/

The world is constantly changing especially in construction industry, which is always competitive, complex and challenging. Due to its uncertain and dynamically changing environment, logistics has become a core pillar in delivering a construction project successfully by having the right product with right price, right quality and right quantity at the right place on the right time to the right customer (8R). Since these requirements are getting more and more difficult fulfilled, Logistics 4.0 has triggered changes and improvements in current traditional logistics practices by integration of new intelligent technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the driving force of Logistics 4.0 and its continuing development will transform construction logistics with unprecedented velocity in the near future. Thus, are Malaysian construction practitioners ready to adopt AI in their logistics practices? This research intends to examine the readiness of local industrial players towards the adoption of AI in construction logistics. The objectives are to uncover the problems faced in current construction logistics practices, to identify the existing practice of AI in construction logistics and lastly to study the readiness of industrial players to adopt AI in the practices in construction logistics. The literatures pertain to the benefits of Logistics 4.0, the problems in current construction logistics practices and the applications of AI in construction logistics are reviewed. Sampling size was determined by Central Limit Theorem to ensure the reasonably sufficient size of samples. Quantitative research approach was used for collecting data. A total of 154 sets of questionnaires are collected from targeted respondents to assess construction industry players’ problems faced in current logistics practices as well as their awareness, existing practices of AI and barriers in adopting AI. In overall, there is relatively high awareness among players and can be concluded that they are ready now for AI adoptions. However, due to some barriers, AI remains its infancy in local construction organisations when most players are planning to adopt AI in the near future instead of using now. Malaysian construction players are expected to be beneficial by having higher awareness and readiness in exploiting and embracing these new emerging intelligent technologies. The future researcher may define more specific scope by focusing on the readiness of specific AI innovation in construction logistics.