A collaborative practices typology for Australian prefabricated housing networks: convergence, alignment and coordination

Prefabrication in housing construction has had limited uptake in Australia, and preliminary studies have identified a number of possible barriers. However, many of these barriers are underpinned by uninterrogated assumptions, among them limited understandings of the outcomes linked to prefabrication and the type of firm that can lead prefabrication initiatives. Studies also overlook that many of these barriers are rooted in the fundamental challenge of achieving large-scale collaboration. We use actor-network theory and comparative qualitative case study techniques to examine successful cases of large-scale collaboration in housing prefabrication supply chains. We identify eight collaborative practices that drive successful prefabrication, thus contributing theoretically to an enriched multi-dimensional definition of collaboration. We contribute methodologically by using the practices to develop a rubric that guides empirical research in analyzing collaborative arrangements across supply chains. Finally, we contribute to practice by demonstrating that prefabrication driven by different types of firms to achieve diverse outcomes.