Studying Contribution of Associated Stakeholders in Risk Control of Modularized Construction under Different Project Delivery Methods: A Graph-Restricted Cooperative Games Approach

Modularization is associated with various project benefits including cost savings, schedule reduction, improved quality, among others. However, successful implementation of modular projects requires early collaboration and proactive management of various associated risks. Both project communication structures and early engagement of all project stakeholders have a great impact on risk mitigation efficiency in modular construction. The goal of this paper is to study the stakeholders’ contribution in risk control of modular construction projects under different delivery methods. To this end, the authors followed a multistep methodology including (1) literature analysis to assign 17 modular risks among the various project stakeholders; (2) Monte-Carlo simulation to valuate risk control contribution associated with each stakeholder and their subset coalitions; and (3) cooperative game theory to compute the risk control contribution of each stakeholder under three different delivery methods including design-bid-build (DBB), design-build (DB), and integrated project delivery (IPD). The findings show that suppliers and contractors have the highest contribution in risk control when compared to owners and designers. Furthermore, the results indicated that IPD increases risk control capacity of contractors and subcontractors due to the ability for open communication between owner, designer, and contractor with the modular suppliers or subcontractors. Ultimately, this paper contributes to the body of knowledge by offering an unprecedented framework that captures the impact of delivery methods on risk control capabilities of stakeholders in modular construction projects.