How digital technologies contribute to prefabricated construction supply chain resilience: an asset orchestration perspective

Purpose Despite the growing recognition of digital technologies (DTs) as potential enhancers of prefabricated construction supply chain (PCSC) resilience, prior research has predominantly focused on the isolated impacts of individual DTs, neglecting their synergistic benefits. This study aims to address this significant gap by exploring how DTs integration (DTI) contributes to promoting PCSC resilience from an asset orchestration perspective. Specifically, this study examines how the breadth and depth of DTI deployment (BDTID and DDTID) can enhance three dimensions of PCSC resilience: absorptive, responsive and recovery resilience. Understanding this relationship is crucial for managers seeking to leverage DTs to effectively mitigate disruptions and enhance the overall PCSC resilience. Design/methodology/approach This study follows an empirical research design. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to gather data from prefabricated construction (PC) projects in China. With a two-stage sampling approach and three data screening criteria, 310 PC projects were approached for analysis. Then, the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was selected and utilized to analyze the collected data. A total number of ten structural paths were validated against the sophisticated relationship between DTI and PCSC resilience. Findings The results reveal a distinct pattern in the impact of DTI deployment on PCSC resilience. The DDTID has significant and positive effects on all three resilience dimensions. In contrast, BDTID only significantly elevates recovery resilience. It has either insignificant or negative impacts on absorptive and responsive resilience. Additionally, the study confirms a positive mediation effect of the DDTID. Broad DTI deployment serves as a foundation for deep DTI deployment, and the DDTID plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall resilience of PCSC by fully leveraging the potential of DTs. Practical implications The differential impacts of DTI deployments on PCSC resilience offer valuable guidance for PC managers. They should encourage partners to adopt a diverse range of DTs, but more importantly, focus on promoting in-depth DTI applications (e.g. real-time risk predication and decision-making in PCSC operations). A balanced approach between broad and deep DTI deployment is also necessary. The BDTID facilitates seamless information sharing among PCSC partners, while it is the DDTID that ensures the effective integration and utilization of DTs across various PCSC processes. By promoting the effective synergy of broad and deep DTI deployment, the PCSC can become more resilient. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a holistic examination of DTI’s impact on PCSC resilience from an asset orchestration perspective. By investigating both BDTID and DDTID, the study offers a nuanced understanding of the relationships between DTI and PCSC resilience, challenging the conventional assumption that more DTs equal better resilience. The findings highlight the importance of deep DTI deployment in fully realizing the benefits of broad DTI deployment.