Analysis of Workflow Variability in Modular Integrated Construction Manufacturing Using Cooperative Game Theory

Workflow variability is a classic management challenge that could seriously impede production or project performance. However, there are sporadic efforts to analyze it in modular integrated construction (MiC), particularly its off-site manufacturing, which provides an intriguing management context with features from both contemporary manufacturing and traditional construction. This research aims to analyze workflow variabilities in MiC and investigate their impacts on manufacturing by adopting cooperative game theory. The MiC production process is first translated into a cooperative game based on real-life project data. Then the impacts of the workflow variability down to specific activities are calculated separately, represented by the Shapley values and considering their nonlinear relationships. Through the cooperative game simulations, the research can clearly identify the workflow variabilities of critical activities that can undermine production efficiency to be given special attention in production planning and control. A major contribution of this research is to apply cooperative game theory for workflow variability management in MiC manufacturing. Production managers can use the tool to better improve their MiC production performance.