ABSTRACT
In construction, the production system and supply chain in particular have been deemed to be relatively disintegrated. A more integrated approach to construction has been often put forward as a solution to the many problems and deficiencies existing in it. At the same time, restrictions imposed by integration in construction have been recognized, because of its temporary and complex nature. Here, the approach is to regard a construction supply chain as a system and to apply systems engineering to increase the coherence of the supply system. The underlying principle is that a production system such as a supply chain delivering a single product should not be fragmented, nor should it consist of distributed functions. Instead, supply chain integration must lead to improvement by developing a more stable, repetitive production environment, similar to what is common in other industries. The premise is that the construction supply chain would function better when approached and reconstituted as a single entity in the form of an extended enterprise. In a way, the broader issue is whether construction could or should develop itself toward the standards and practices of a conventional, more integrated, supply-driven industry. This chapter provides an overview of research that is applying a systems approach to the creation of a model for supply chain integration in construction. It offers insights into a number of the building blocks found in theory and practice, which can be used in the model building process.
