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Digital Concrete: Productivity in Infrastructure Construction

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  • Diane Coyle
  • Rehema Msulwa

Abstract

Construction is a large sector of the UK economy and official statistics show that construction productivity has flatlined despite adoption of advances in digital technology and increased outsourcing. We examine the evolution of the UK infrastructure construction industry and the scope for its digitization, describing the changing industry structure and the range of digital technologies being adopted. We consider the implications of technological innovation for productivity, both actual and measured. We focus on two possible explanations for this particular piece of the productivity puzzle: time lags and different potential sources of mismeasurement.

Suggested Citation

  • Diane Coyle & Rehema Msulwa, 2022. "Digital Concrete: Productivity in Infrastructure Construction," Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE) Discussion Papers ESCoE DP-2022-21, Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE).
    • Handle: RePEc:nsr:escoed:escoe-dp-2022-21
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    6. Daniel M. Hall & Jennifer K. Whyte & Jerker Lessing, 2020. "Mirror-breaking strategies to enable digital manufacturing in Silicon Valley construction firms: a comparative case study," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(4), pages 322-339, April.
    7. Griliches, Zvi, 1998. "R&D and Productivity," National Bureau of Economic Research Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226308869.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    construction; digitisation; infrastructure; productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L16 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Industrial Organization and Macroeconomics; Macroeconomic Industrial Structure

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