Modular integrated construction (MiC) is an innovative construction approach which transforms the fragmented linear site-based construction of buildings into an integrated production and assembly of value-added prefabricated prefinished modules. As MiC has gained attention in the construction industry, more in-depth knowledge of the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing MiC projects is imperative. This research reviewed studies on the CSFs for implementing MiC projects during the period 1993–2019. Analysis showed that the US, UK, Malaysia, Australia, and Hong Kong are the largest contributors to the MiC CSFs studies. Further analysis generated 35 CSFs for implementing MiC projects. Of these, the six most cited CSFs shared between countries and MiC projects include good working collaboration and effective communication among project participants; effective supply chain management; accurate design and early design freeze; involvement of key project participants throughout the project; suitable procurement strategy and contracting; and standardization & benchmarking of best practices. These shared CSFs can be used to develop decision support systems, enabling the prediction of project success. The developed checklists and conceptual model of the CSFs could help to guide and improve the successful implementation of MiC projects and may form a useful basis for future empirical studies.

The business model of modular integrated construction (MiC) demands a unique design, engineering, supply chain, stakeholder composition, construction and management. These requirements engender manifold uncertainties and risks events which may derail the success of MiC projects. Empirical studies have examined the risks associated with MiC in different countries. However, the critical risk factors (CRFs) in the application of MiC have not been reviewed. This study conducted a systematic review and synthesis of 39 empirical studies on the risks of MiC and identified 30 CRFs. Based on the frequency of occurrences, the top ten (10) CRFs in the application of MiC have been discussed. Of these, stakeholder fragmentation and management complexity; higher initial capital cost; poor supply chain integration and disturbances; delays in delivery of modular components to the site and poor government support and regulations constitute the five (5) most CRFs. The findings are useful to countries which are yet to adopt MiC and may broaden the understanding of offsite construction researchers and practitioners on the risks of MiC. Future studies would make a quantitative ranking of the CRFs and propose management strategies.

The significant ill-performances, challenges, and increasing competition within the construction sector are generating tremendous changes. One such revolution is the transition towards offsite construction (OSC). Although a plethora of studies has expounded the virtues and benefits of the approach, a holistic review and conceptual framework of the drivers of OSC is not well-established. This research draws on a multistage methodological framework of a systematic literature review, plenary discussions, and the total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) approach to build a holistic conceptual framework for the drivers of OSC. A review of 32 empirical studies distributed across four continents resulted in the extraction of 86 drivers. The 86 drivers were grouped into time, cost, quality, productivity, innovative competitiveness, market, sustainability, and policy clusters of drivers drawing on previous classifications in empirical studies. The TISM modeling revealed three hierarchical levels of the drivers, comprising dependent, linkage, and independent drivers. Based on an MICMAC analysis, “innovative competitiveness” and “sustainability” have the highest driving powers and lowest dependences, suggesting their prime significance in the adoption of OSC. Thus, this research provides a broader perspective of the drivers and may help OSC practitioners and policymakers to gain a better understanding of the ecosystem of the drivers.