A four-quadrant conceptual framework for analyzing extended producer responsibility in offshore prefabrication construction

Abstract

<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/prefabrication" title="Learn more about Prefabrication from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages">Prefabrication</a> has been widely advocated as a green production strategy to minimize the adverse environmental impacts of construction. Amid economic globalization, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/prefabricated-construction" title="Learn more about prefabricated construction from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages">prefabricated construction</a> materials are commonly sourced offsite and even offshore. As an issue emerging alongside offshore prefabrication, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/extended-producer-responsibility" title="Learn more about extended producer responsibility from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages">extended producer responsibility</a> (EPR) is yet to be clearly identified, allocated, and implemented. This research develops a conceptual framework using a design thinking process, through which EPR associated with offshore prefabrication can be analyzed, agreed upon, and allocated. By considering the scope and scale of the responsibility and the procurement methods, the framework comprises four quadrants representing four typical scenarios for implementation of the EPR principle. It is applicable for both short-term and lifelong EPR analysis, in both traditional and integrated project delivery contexts. The framework will be particularly useful for devising public policies to achieve an onshore and offshore stakeholder win-win situation.<span> </span></p>