Decoding construction capacity in Architecture, Engineering, and construction industry: a state-of-the-art review

The construction industry, critical to economic growth, faces persistent challenges in managing capacity due to fluctuating demand and supply shaped by socio-economic, political, and global factors. Understanding construction capacity dynamics is crucial for developing strategies that meet demand, foster infrastructure growth, and benefit stakeholders and the economy. Despite extensive research, a holistic representation of construction capacity remains limited, hindering insights into its key themes, gaps, and future directions. Furthermore, identifying various capacity levels for effective management amid dynamic demand changes is lacking, impairing capacity optimization and strategic industry growth. To address these gaps, this research employs the PRISMA method combined with scientometric techniques. Following the PRISMA process, 3,584 articles were initially retrieved from the Scopus database by applying inclusion criteria (peer-reviewed English-language journals) and excluding conference papers, book chapters, and editorials. After screening out 425 articles to reduce analytical noise, 3,159 studies were included for final synthesis. Temporal and bibliometric analysis shows a steady rise in research, peaking in 2023, led by the U.S. and U.K., with strong U.S. collaboration. JCEM, CME, and ECAM emerged as the most influential journals, with high cross-citation reflecting a cohesive research network. From keyword co-occurrence analysis, the study uncovers five main research themes through keyword co-occurrence analysis and proposes four major future research directions. Additionally, the Multilevel Perspective (MLP) framework is introduced to define construction capacity levels and connect them with these research themes. A conceptual framework for capacity management, informed by homeostasis theory, is also developed and mapped to future research areas. While offering valuable insights, this study is limited by the absence of expert validation of the frameworks, reliance on indexed databases, and exclusion of non-English and qualitative sources. This review aims to enhance academic understanding and inform practical strategies for effectively managing construction sector capacity, ultimately deepening insights and guiding strategic planning.