Kier Group Plc: Impact of Emerging Technologies on Performance

This research project investigates the implementation of current and emerging technologies within the construction business, with a specific focus on Kier Group Plc. The project begins with an overview of the research, outlining the significance of digital transformation and the impact of various technologies like BIM, robotics, AI, virtual reality, and cloud computing on the construction industry. It explores the rationale, aims, and objectives of the study, including research questions related to the concept of digital technology, emerging technologies, their impact on Kier Group Plc, challenges faced by the business, and potential solutions. The literature review delves into the concept of digital transformation, the definition of emerging technologies, and their applications in the construction sector, highlighting the benefits of BIM, robotics, AI, virtual reality, and cloud-based solutions. The project examines how these technologies improve project planning, streamline operations, and enhance overall business performance. The research also aims to identify the challenges faced by construction businesses and propose ways for Kier Group Plc to mitigate these issues, providing a comprehensive analysis of technology adoption in the construction industry.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Title of the Research........................................................................................................................1
Chapter one: Introduction................................................................................................................1
Chapter Two: Literature Review.....................................................................................................3
Chapter Three: Research Design.....................................................................................................8
Chapter Four: Data Analysis............................................................................................................9
Chapter Five: Discussion.................................................................................................................9
Chapter Six: Recommendation......................................................................................................10
Chapter Seven: Conclusion............................................................................................................11
Chapter Eight: Research Program..................................................................................................12
Chapter Nine: Reflective Summary...............................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................14

Title of the Research
The current and emerging technologies that are implementing by the construction business
to increasing the performance.
Chapter one: Introduction
Overview of the Research
The study aims to investigate the current and emerging technologies that are effectively
be implementing by the construction business to increase the performance of the business,
therefore, digital technology has transform the way of conducting business and the technological
revolution has reached at the entire globe with the significant consequence for the organisation,
government and the labour market (Wang and et. al., 2017). The computer based technologies,
designs, telecommunication and other development are basically allowing the small players to
compete with the traditional giants within the manufacturing and the other field. Technologies
are widely affecting the constructing industry like never before. However, through the cloud
based collaboration and the growth of the digital twin to robots, super materials, wearables tech,
pollution-eating building and even artefact intelligence, an incredible array of the actions are
assisting to develop a sector which mainly shapes how every human being over earth can live
their lives. In this present project, analysis has been executing over the study of Kier Group Plc,
therefore, it is British construction, service and the property group which is active in building
and civil engineering, support services, public and private house holding, land development and
the Private Finance Initiative. The company was founded in the year of 1928. The headquarter of
the firm is in 81 Fountain Street, Manchester. The entire revenue of the firm is around £3,475.6
million pound which showcases an effective position of the business. In addition to the company
is working with around 20064 employees who are implementing their significant efforts in the
growth operations of the business (Liu, Van Nederveen and Hertogh, 2017). The key motive of
Kier Group Plc, is to implementing the innovative and advance technologies like cloud
computing, AI, Computerised automation, automatic machinery and so on, at workplace to
increasing the operational ability of the business.
Rationale of the Research
The key purpose of executing analysis over the aspect of investigating the current and
emerging technologies that are implementing by the construction business to increasing the
1

performance, is that, current and emerging technology is the key consideration of the today’s
modern business era as the study is creating value in enhancing individual skills and knowledge
in relation to the specified subject (Haseeb and et. al., 2019). The another motive of executing
the analysis is that the study is effective in individual personal and professional skills that might
help the investigator in attaining effective academic record via enrichment of personal skills and
moving in the right direction to gaining effective career path. The study is effective in enhancing
border idea about the current and emerging technologies that are effectively be implementing by
the construction businesses to increasing the performance of the business within the commercial
centre and how these affects the operational ability of the business. The another intention of
executing the analysis is the personal interest of the investigator as the researcher wants to
enchanting personal ability and attain significant knowledge about the emerging technologies
and how these create benefits for the business in attaining growth and development (Cao, Wang
and Huang, 2017).
Research Aim
The key aim of this study is “To investigate the current and emerging technologies that are
implementing by the construction business to increasing the performance. A study on Kier Group
Plc”.
Research objectives –
The key objectives that are effective for the study are associated as under:
 To study the concept of current and emerging digital technology in the context to
construction business.
 To identify the emerging technologies that is applying by the construction business to
developing the entire business performance.
 To analyse the impact of emerging technologies over the operations of Kier Group Plc.
 To access the challenges faces by construction business in their operations.
 To determine the ways that could be opt by Kier Group Plc to mitigating the issue faces
by the business in their operations.
Research Questions
The effective research questions which are widely encompasses over the aim and objectives
of the research are associated as under:
2

 What is the concept of current and emerging digital technology in the context to
construction business?
 What are the emerging technologies that are applying by the construction business to
developing the entire business performance?
 What is the impact of emerging technologies over the operations of Kier Group Plc?
 What are the key challenges faces by construction business in their operations?
 What are the ways that could be opt by Kier Group Plc to mitigating the issue faces by
the business in their operations?
Chapter Two: Literature Review
A literature review is defined as the survey of the scholarly sources over a specified area of
study. Thus it mainly renders an analysis of the existing knowledge which allowing the
researcher to analyse effective and authentic theories, methods, concepts and the gaps within the
already present investigation (Buer, Strandhagen and Chan, 2018). An effective literature
reviews basically ensure that the effective investigation question has been asked and a suitable
theoretical framework have been developed to enhance understanding about the specified
investigation area. Therefore, in the case of this present investigation work, based on the aspect
of investigating the current and emerging technologies that are implementing by the construction
business to increasing the performance, a literature review is effective in enhancing individual
understanding in relation to the present study aspect and finalising the gap of past study to
reaching at significant result. This section of research is based on accumulating data through
secondary sources i.e. books, journals, articles and so on.
The concept of current and emerging digital technology in the context to construction
business.
According to the opinion of Nadkarni & Prugal (2021), the digital transformation mainly
refers as the transformation which is effectively be focused with the altered digital tools and
technologies that can bring about in a business model, products and the organisational structure
to advancing the operations. Perhaps it also termed as the most pervasive managerial issue for
the incumbent business of the past and upcoming decades. The aspect of emerging technology is
mainly implemented to evaluate a new and advance technology but it may also have defined to
the rapid development of an available technology; it can have slightly different meaning when it
is implemented in different areas likewise media, business, science and the education. The term
3

emerging technology mainly defined to the technologies which are currently developing and are
mainly expected to be available within the next 10 to 5 years and is mainly reserved through the
tools and technologies which are creating or are expected to create important social and
economic influence (Frank, Dalenogare and Ayala, 2019). According to the opinion of Abdelaal,
Khater, Zaki (2018), digital transformation is becoming an effective and prime area of study for
the business within the entire globe. It is mainly anticipated that, businesses which are unable to
adapt the digital world will undoubtedly fall victims to the digital Darwinism, where the
incumbents may disappear and simply the most adaptable business, responsive to the
technological trends that will survive to remain over the competitive market. The advancement
of technologies has affecting the construction business like never being before. Therefore,
through the cloud based collaboration or the growth of digital twin to robots, AI, pollution eating
building, BIM, virtual reality, autonomous vehicle, advanced materials, machine learning,
Wearable Technology, Smart Building, home analytics and so on, that are effective in providing
shape to the business to executing it operations effectively and attaining significant
advancement. The emerging construction tools and technologies are not just fad or a fun new
element. There are actual, practical applications and the significance to the modernizing the
existing processes. However, the construction, businesses are mainly want to persist competitive
and not be left behind and they are finalising the path to integrate new and advance approaches
within their workflow and the business strategy (Zou, Kiviniemi and Jones, 2017). In the existing
and cutting edge of the tools and technologies within the construction are drastically altering how
the industry operates and how the future projects will have performed effectively to aid the
operations in significant manner to gain advancement and development.
The emerging technologies that are applying by the construction business to developing the
entire business performance.
According to the views of Chin (2020), emerging tools and technologies are mainly
enabling the operators to more effectively analyse and plan the aspects of a construction projects,
perform the assorted construction projects and also develop and maintain an effective database of
construction fleet information. The construction has wider relied over the tried and true tools to
survey terrain, manoeuvre aspects, train employees and the performance over the other tasks.
Within the current year, a spate of the digital based tools and technologies have transformed the
construction business within a hotbed of the advance technology (Zhou, Goh and Li, 2015).
4

There are assorted emerging tools and technologies that are widely implementing by the
construction business to attain growth and success. Therefore, the suitable emerging tools and
technologies are associated as under:
BIM eases project planning: Building information modelling system are assisting a mean for all
stakeholders within the project, construction crews, architects, accountants and others—a close-
up look at the construction project workflow to modernise planning and project coordination.
The BIM implements effective tools like robotics stations, 3d view, to providing specific idea
about the plan and helps in better understanding about the construction project.
Robotics and Drone: Construction is mainly termed as the industry which is less automated as
the operations are based on featuring the manual process or labour, therefore, it is very much
shocking and surprising that, robotics have performed an effective role in the construction
project. Drons are mainly implementing by the construction business for the site safety as they
can monitor the sites via applying camera in the drone, drone is also implementing for delivering
the material, reducing the number of vehicles. In addition to this, bricklaying and masonry are
the effective operations in that robots can be implemented via developing the speed and the
quality of the work (Oesterreich and Teuteberg, 2016).
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: AI is the intelligence which is shown through a
machine in respect to mimic the individual behaviour. On the other side, the machine learning is
a field of AI, where the statistical tools are implemented to provide a computer ability to learn
through the information without being explicitly programmed. Both are effective in construction
business in analysing the predictive design, effective design of building, applying AI driver
automation, effective financial planning and so on.
Virtual Reality: The aspect of virtual reality is termed as the game changer in the construction
business as it is effective in providing impression experience which shuts out the physical world.
Therefore, this technology in construction business is effective in presenting the view about the
construction site to the customers on a digital screen. This helps individual to get better idea
about the project and make suitable correction as per the requirement.
Cloud and Mobile Technology: The mobile technology basically helps the construction project
in save time and keep the project moving in right manner by rendering the real time monitoring,
updates and the data that are available among the job sites and the offices (Balasubramanian and
Shukla, 2017). The cloud based business phones is basically accessible through anywhere, an
5

individual has an internet connection. The cloud technology helps in manipulating and storing
the information in effective manner.
The impact of emerging technologies over the operations of Kier Group Plc.
According to the view of Holt, Benham, Bigelow (2015), emerging technology has
become an essential part of the almost each and every aspect of the lives in the recent era.
Therefore, the business has been implementing the technology in assorted ways for a long time
now. The technologies in the modern business era implemented for communication through the
business in from of tele calling, emails, video conferencing and the text messages. Other than
this, emerging technologies like AI, cloud computing, virtual reality, robotic, drone and so on,
that are effective affecting the operations of construction business (Li and et. al., 2018). Kier
Group Plc is a leading construction business which is widely concern over increasing the
operational ability of the business via implementing the effective and emerging technologies like
Cloud and Mobile Technology, Advanced Materials, AI, virtual reality, smart building,
construction software and so on, that are creating positive value for the business in increasing the
operational ability of the business. However, emerging technologies are effectively resulted for
the business in increasing the operational ability of the business and attaining higher
development and growth.
The challenges face by construction business in their operations.
According to the opinion of Chinn (2020), the analysis of the survey report of the forecast
regulated development in the construction business, it is expected to record a CAGR of 4.9
percent to 1804.8 billion through the year of 2023. There is still a general sense of optimism.
Through the regular development and the positive outlook in the construction business, what can
effectively be keeping construction executive up at the nigh. There are assorted issues like
unpaid work, retirement of aging boomer, varied technology among general contractors, high
market competition, rapid advancement in the technologies, rising cost of material, project delay,
safety of labour, poor productivity, skilled labour shortage and so on, that are effectively being
faces by the construction business to attain growth and success (Ruparathna, Hewage and Sadiq,
2016). However, these are the key issues which are widely affecting the operational ability of the
construction business and decreasing the operational ability to gain development and
progression.
6

The ways that could be opt by Kier Group Plc to mitigating the issue faces by the business in
their operations.
According to the view of Chinn (2020), business in the competitive era are mainly concern
over developing the operational ability of the business , thus, Kier Group Plc is a leading
construction which contributes in the economic development of the country. The company is
facing assorted issues in their operations like less productivity, high labour cost, shortage of
labour, increasing turnover and so on that are affecting the operations of the business. However,
there are assorted ways like providing training to employees, implementing advance
technologies, implementing artificial intelligence and robotics, executing virtual reality program
as these all are effective for the Kier Group Plc in mitigating the issues faces by the business in
their operations. Therefore, these are the effective tools that are creating value for the business in
developing the operation of the business (Huang and et. al., 2018).
7

Chapter Three: Research Design
An investigation design is defined as the plan to answer the investigation question; an
investigation tool is a strategy which is implemented to execute a plan to assist the investigation
in right manner to generate significant result (Lines and et. al., 2015). The suitable research and
methodology helps the investigator in identifying, analysing an evaluating the significant result
in right manner. The suitable selection of methodologies for execution of the study, based on the
aspect of investigating the current and emerging technologies that are implementing by the
construction business to increasing the performance are associated as under:
Research Philosophy: The choice of philosophy is relay over two aspects i.e. positivism and
interpritivism research philosophy. For the execution of the present study, positivism philosophy
is being implementing by the researcher as it is the most effective tool to providing descriptive
evaluation with discussion the original facts and figures which are relay over the current and
emerging technologies that are implementing by the construction business to increasing the
performance. In addition to this, positivism philosophy is effective for executing mixed study in
which qualitative and quantitative both the study is executing (Manavalan and Jayakrishna,
2019).
Research Choice:
The choice of research is based over mono method, mixed and multi method, therefore,
the execution of the entire study is based on the selection of research method in appropriate
manner. In the context of this present investigation work, based on the aspect of analysing the
current and emerging technologies that are implementing by the construction business to
increasing the performance of the business, mixed method is being implementing by the
researcher as it is the most significant tool where analysis has been based over both qualitative
and quantitative study. Therefore, the mixed method approach is creating value for the study in
providing both theoretical and statistical information to reaching at significant result via studying
the theories and statics related to the emerging and current technologies implementing by the
construction business (Li and et. al., 2015).
Data Collection Tools: The analysis of this specific study, based on both primary and secondary
sources of data collection. Therefore, primary research is mainly being effective in gathering
first-hand information which are specific to the related subject, the collection of primary research
is based on multiple aspects i.e. survey, interview, focus group, case study and so on. In this
8

study, survey has been executing with the support of developing questionnaire as it is supportive
for conducting mixed analysis. Whereas, secondary study is relay over providing assistance with
the help of already accumulated information. There are different sources to gather secondary
information are the past investigation, books, journal, articles and so on. The secondary study
helps in enhancing theoretical framework over the aspect of analysing the current and emerging
technologies that are implementing by the construction business to increasing the performance.
Data Analysis Method: Data evaluation is termed as the procedure of inspecting, cleansing,
transforming and modelling the information with the intention to reaching at the significant
results. In the execution of the present study, thematic analysis approach has been implementing
by the researcher where themes are developed over the questions of questionnaire, therefore, it is
suited for quantitative study, as well as for the qualitative analysis themes are designed to discuss
the reviews of the authors in literature review (Bilal and et. al., 2016) .
Chapter Four: Data Analysis
Chapter Five: Discussion
As per the above analysis and discussion, it has been found that digital technology is a
highly effective to implement in construction business in order to enhance its performance.
Digital technology completely transforms the way of performing operations of business.
Different computer based technologies, telecommunication, designs and other developments
enable small businesses to compete in the market. Technologies broadly affect construction
sector and leads it towards growth and success. By cloud based collaboration as well as growth
of super materials, artificial intelligence, wearable’s tech, digital twin to robots highly contribute
in success of the sector. It has been found that digital transformation effectively be emphasized
with changing digital technologies and tools that bring into the business model. Emerging
technology aspect is executed in order to evaluate advanced technology. The construction
businesses are affected by the technological advancements in positive way. The technologies like
artificial intelligence, robots, virtual reality, advanced materials, wearable technology, machine
learning, pollution eating building, smart building etc. highly contribute in bringing advancement
in the industry and leads the construction businesses towards growth and success. It has been
found that emerging technologies help in improving the performance of businesses. Construction
sector is widely relying upon the technologies in order to perform its operations effectively.
9