Impact of prefabrication, technology and equipment on the profitability
Answers
Explanation:
You have raised an important question (issue) regarding the role of prefabricated buildings within the developing countries and how this might impact the economy and construction industry among other issues.
We are currently undertaking research within this area as the following publication will confirm:
Mostafa, S., Dumrak, J., Chileshe, N. and Zuo, J. (2014), Offsite manufacturing in developing countries: Current situation and opportunities, In: Tamosaitiene, J., Panuwatwanich, K., Mishima, N. and Ko, C-H (Eds), Proceedings of the 5th Internation Conference on Engineering, Project and Production Management (EPPM), Port Elizabeth, South Africa, pp. 64-73, ISBN: 978-1-920508-31-9.
The abstract of the above citation (reference is also available on ResearchGate).
In summary, the paper is aimed at investigating the usage of site manufacturing for improving housing supply in developed countries and is based on a systematic review of literature in 24 developing countries. This could therefore be a good pointer for you relative to some of the issues that you have raised. For example, with regards to the economy, the study makes reference to how the economic-related factors such as consumer price index, changes in the interest and inflation rates are the key driving factors to the demand and supply of houses. The paper furtehr acknowledges how within the developing countries, Government policies, the avilability of skilled labour and building materials play important roles in the residential building sector.
Relative to how does the fast and easy construction of prefabrication affects the economy of the construction industry, the paper suggests two decoupling points to manage the off site manufacturing (OSM) supply chain for achieving the house demands in developing countries through appropriate strategies such as "Build to stock strategy"and "Self-Building strategy" and most importantly makes the connection between the construction sector and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment in most devloping countries.
The above paper will be uploaded next week and you will be able to draw some lessons from selected developing countries such as China, India, Malaysia, Tanzania, Egypt, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia (among others).