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This book aimed to conceptualise a construction workforce management model suitable for effectively managing workers in construction organisations. To this end, this chapter presents the conceptualised model, which consists of seven workforce management practices with their respective measurement variables. Drawing from existing theories, models, and practices, the chapter concludes that a construction organisation that will attain its strategic objectives in the current fourth industrial revolution era must be willing to promote effective recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, performance management and appraisal, employee involvement and empowerment, training and development, as well as improving workers emotional intelligence and handling external environment pressure. These practices can promote proactiveness, participation, and improved skills and can lead to effective commitment, better quality, and flexibility within the organisation.

The current era of the fourth industrial revolution has attracted significant research on the use of digital technologies in improving construction project delivery. However, less emphasis has been placed on how these digital tools will influence the management of the construction workforce. To this end, using a review of existing works, this chapter explores the fourth industrial revolution and its associated technologies that can positively impact the management of the construction workforce when implemented. Also, the possible challenges that might truncate the successful deployment of digital technologies for effective workforce management were explored. The chapter submitted that implementing workforce management-specific digital platforms and other digital technologies designed for project delivery can aid effective workforce management within construction organisations. Technologies such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, big data analytics, robotics and automation, and artificial intelligence, among others, offer significant benefits to the effective workforce management of construction organisations. However, several challenges, such as resistance to change due to fear of job loss, cost of investment in digital tools, organisational structure and culture, must be carefully considered as they might affect the successful use of digital tools and by extension, impact the success of workforce management in the organisations.

Digital transformation is essential for the development of the construction sector with the opportunities it offers to change and optimise the construction business. Digitalisation affects every stage and process, the whole value chain. As for some other industries, as well as in the construction sector, it provides several advantages and benefits which include increased productivity; increased speed of construction and saving time in the implementation of construction projects, significantly higher quality of accompanying construction documentation, etc. At the same time, there are some challenges related to the lag of digital transformation in construction when compared to other sectors. Some of these challenges are in the presence of some specific technical challenges, different degrees of application of new information technology in smaller construction companies, and so on which are often in the role of subcontractors and other parties involved in construction implementation. Despite the challenges, digital transformation has no alternative given the future upward development of the construction sector as the industry drives towards sustainability.

In terms of having the general idea of what the whole book entails, the first chapter gave an insight into all the chapters and what details each chapter holds. This chapter began with an introduction of the book title in relation to the construction industry and sustainable practice in a collaborative manner. In addition, sustainable infrastructure management (SIM) was discussed in relation to construction Industry 4.0 and the management qualities of the technologies incorporated into construction activities. The objective of the book gave the need for SIM in construction with the view of achieving sustainable practices beneficial to both the client and the construction professional.

Mobile computing enables mobile devices to boost restricted resources, and this further includes processing, storage space and battery freedom with the help of cloud facilities. Cloud computing (CC) enables users to obtain admission to energy from another location, providing movement, and enabling common data admission. This chapter is tailored towards responding to a variety of the main challenges of the construction industry with the help of utilising mobile cloud solutions and services. The main benefits of embracing CC largely centred on resources which are expressed in cost reduction, system mobility, system flexibility and system maintenance, while the threats are information protection, individual accessibility, governing conformity, data location, accessibility and also disaster recuperation. This chapter provided necessary solutions to the main threats in the construction industry in terms of design, materials, finance, management and knowledge with the application of mobile cloud computing.

Quantum computer design is a registration that utilises quantum-mechanical wonder, like superposition and entrapment, used to arrange the assets of a quantum computer. A deliberate layered system can be planned to handle the difficulties, which emerge during the advancement of a quantum figuring. The plan usefulness is isolated into layers where the subsystems are planned in such a manner with the goal that it can investigate the issues freely and measures better between the layers bringing about a superior arrangement. Right now, all adaptable quantum figuring innovations are recommendations and critical advances in assembling necessities needed to carry them to the real world. By and by, a few recommendations have less cumbersome innovative obstacles before them than others. Even though its applications are somewhat limited in the construction industry, steps have been taken towards its implementation across the industry as well as other industries.

The world is becoming digitised, and the construction industry is not left behind in the move. Buildings are getting advanced to the level of operating them electronically with little or no human interference. The implementation of technological practices into operations has produced many new products and provided ways of improving the efficiency of the products. A practical example is the application of robots being involved in the construction process. And these robotics are controlled by the use of mechatronics engineering through their artificial intelligence incorporated into their systems. This chapter examined the activities and involvement of mechatronics in construction, the different benefits to be derived from mechatronics applications and the uphill challenges it poses in construction projects.

The legalization of same-sex marriage changed the parenting landscape for LGBTQ parents in a variety of ways. Parenthood is presumably different now that same-sex marriage is officially legal. Experiences among LGBTQ couples in the post-legalization of same-sex marriage era raise questions about the context of growing recognition and cultural acceptance of same-sex relationships. I conducted in-depth interviews with LGBTQ parents to learn how they navigate parenting and the construction of parenting roles in the context of a society that has legalized same-sex marriage, yet still is rooted in heteronormative notions of family and parenthood. Specifically, I ask: How do LGBTQ couples construct and make sense of their roles as parents, particularly within the contemporary context of the legalization of same-sex marriage? Understanding the contexts that shape LGBTQ parents’ experiences aids in not only understanding the lives of LGBTQ parents and their families better, but also developing a deeper understanding of contemporary parenting identities and experiences more broadly.

Today, sustainability is considered a high priority; and it is on the agenda for major corporations. It has experienced an increase due to the demands of the customers, thereby pressuring corporations to act in more sustainable ways to stay relevant and competitive. One industry that is experiencing an increased request to act sustainably is the construction industry. The construction industry differs quite a lot from other industries since it is project-based and built on temporary relationships. Subcontractors are temporarily engaged in the projects, often by a main contractor, to perform tasks in which they are specialised. The subcontractors additionally engage their respective subcontractors. This makes it harder to control and ensure that all involved actors are acting sustainably due to the multiple tiers of contractors and the complex nature of the projects. A technology that recently has had the attention of construction professionals is blockchain technology, which is built on smart contracts. It can be described as a shared, distributed ledger technology, which was created as an enabler for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. The technology has, in recent years, been widely discussed as a potential business enhancer. It can, for example, provide immutable record-keeping, enables the usage of smart contracts and enhance transparency within the network, which is deemed valuable to the construction industry's push towards sustainability. The smart contracts technology has the potential to disrupt current business practices and decrease the required amounts of trust needed in business relationships.

Connected machines are the automation of several types of machines connected towards beneficial growth of sustainable construction especially in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This chapter gave an insight into the emergence of digitalisation in the construction sector and the importance of connected machines in sustainable construction. It further elucidated its mode of operations, devices applicable, drivers and challenges for its full application in construction and benefits on construction projects. It finally gave a conclusion on its urgent need for full incorporation due to its technological benefits for present and future construction works.