The Construction Materials Conundrum: Practical Solutions to Address Integrated Supply Chain Complexities

Abstract

As projects evolve into complex and specialized temporary initiatives, accountability shortfalls in material flow are a major reason for schedule and cost overruns in construction. To date, researchers and practitioners are unresolved regarding the causes of material handling challenges and eminent solutions to improve material flow accountability. Consequently, inefficient supply chain management practices persist, leading to ineffective handling methods. This research, therefore, focused on identifying critical material challenges encountered by contractors and presented solutions to alleviate schedule and cost overrun failures. The fuzzy Delphi approach was used to refine opinions and achieve group consensus from 15 specialists on the ranking of material handling problems and potential solutions associated with design-build projects. The research revealed that complexity, material flow, and lack of information sharing are the top three main causes of onsite material problems. Potential solutions identified were a faster response mechanism (as an alternative to a slower build schedule), increasing material handlers’ worker power, subcontractors’ involvement in the procurement process, and prefabrication. The research highlighted subcontracting as a material handling paradox as apart from being a solution, it creates non-value-added costs in the supply chain and often inappropriately transfers risk. The findings showcased the potential to improve onsite material handling praxis by considering decision-making uncertainties in material flow and recognizing the importance of procurement methods in construction supply chain solutions in resolving scheduling and cost inefficiencies.