Prospects of promoting MMC across the public construction sector: A systematic review against the diffusion of innovation theory

Despite the calls to transform construction and the potential of the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to address traditional construction concerns, the global construction industry is yet to embrace the benefits. The purpose of this review is to theoretically explain MMC low uptake in the public sector by exploring the relative pressure points that are contributing to clients’ indecision. The study argues the five functional constructs of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) against MMC attributes. A systematic review of sixty-seven articles through a Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) led to key arguments that explicate the lesser drive for MMC adoption. Results reveal that past literature is plurally discarding the dynamics between supply and demand, decision-making, and contracting business models. An improved understanding of these dynamics would, therefore, support research efforts in disclosing the necessary considerations that can promote clients’ favourable innovation-decisions. This study echoes past calls and act as a departure point for future research to assess MMC beyond its technical attributes from a theoretical lens to better understand how construction innovations flow in the public construction sector.