An Investigation of Enablers and Barriers to Off Site Manufacturing (OSM): A Meta-synthesis Approach

Applying the Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM), in many ways, can increase productivity, efficiency of performance, and value creation in the construction industry. Unfortunately, barriers to applying OSM have lowered the desire of manufacturers to use it. However, there is little information in both quantitative and qualitative evaluations on enablers and barriers to OSM implementation compared with existing traditional techniques. This study aims to identify and classify the enablers and barriers to applying OSM through in-depth literature review technique. For that, the Meta-Synthesis approach is used to quantitatively analyze existing information on enablers and barriers to OSM application. This study helps to resolve many problems of the construction industry through identifying the OSM enablers and barriers. Classification of the enablers and barriers presents a more realistic approach in enhancing the OSM implementation. In addition, finding these barriers provides a better view of time and cost estimations. Simultaneous identification of enablers and barriers to OSM application provides an appropriate context for better understanding of OSM concept and its proper implementation by the construction industry business owners. It also provides a better foundation for using potential enablers to face existing barriers to its application.