New trends in international construction

International construction is in a state of transformation; the future will require innovation, collaboration and optimization to reimagine and respond to a disruptive global environment. This chapter reviews the major literature of international construction and analyses the current and future trends. International construction has long been complimentary to studies on international economics. This chapter revisits the major analytical frameworks for international construction, and presents the current profiles in terms of growth capacity, market coverage, business modalities and sector presence. The key driving factors and future trends are analysed using the CHORDS framework which encompasses the dominant factors including the Catalyzers, the Disrupters, the Hinderers, the Regulators and the Synergizers. The chapter also discusses the significant current global schemes: the Belt and Road Initiatives, the Global Infrastructure Programme, and the Blue Dot Network, and analyses their impacts. This chapter concludes by outlining six major trends in international construction, and suggesting areas for further research.