Systems Approach to Innovation in Construction Projects

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Practice in Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 152

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Green Tech Institute, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Interests: project management; construction management; civil engineering; machine learning; complex projects
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Guest Editor
Department of Construction Engineering and Management, NUST Institute of Civil Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Interests: complex systems; systems dynamics; construction projects

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4226, Australia
Interests: project management; construction management; systems thinking; systems dynamics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Construction projects are inherently complex and dynamic, increasing the risks involved and necessitating the development of sophisticated methods of analysis to manage these complexities effectively. One such method is the systems approach, which is rooted in systems theory. Systems theory focuses on creating interdisciplinary frameworks to investigate the dynamic relationships among complex systems and their interconnected elements, processes, and interactions, aiming to understand holistic system behavior and patterns. Consequently, the systems approach seeks to determine system designs and implementations that deliver the highest-quality services.

The push for innovation in construction projects is driven by global Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 initiatives. This drive further complicates an already complex industry, increasing the need for tools capable of handling intricate information, processes, risks, and emergent complexities arising from these innovations. Numerous tools and techniques have been developed to apply systems thinking to construction projects, including but not limited to causal loop diagrams, behavior-over-time graphs, ladders of inference, graphical function diagrams, connection circles, iceberg visuals, stock-flow maps, Bayesian belief networks, fuzzy cognitive mapping, actor mapping, system dynamics simulation models, discrete event simulations, and agent-based modeling.

This Special Issue will collect high-quality articles on the “Systems Approach to Innovation in Construction Projects”. We welcome contributions from construction managers, project managers, building managers, strata managers, city and council managers, construction industry leaders, contractors, consultants, civil engineers, engineering managers, urban and regional planners, real estate and property managers, and research students and academics, including university professors in building and construction and project management fields. These articles should focus on various topics related to the systems approach to innovation in construction projects, including but not limited to the following:

  • Systems thinking in construction projects;
  • Systems approach to construction projects;
  • System dynamics applications in construction projects;
  • Managing innovation in complex construction projects;
  • Mental and cognitive mapping in construction projects;
  • Disruptive technologies application for managing complex construction projects;
  • Systems approach to construction education;
  • Systems thinking for project managers;
  • Other innovative processes and methods for managing complex projects;

Dr. Fahim Ullah
Dr. Ahsen Maqsoom
Dr. Khurram Iqbal Ahmad Khan
Dr. Amir Ghanbaripour
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • complex systems
  • construction projects
  • construction project management
  • innovation
  • systems thinking
  • systems approach

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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