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Volume 15
Issue 21
10.3390/app152111670
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Article

Transforming Modular Construction Supply Chains: Integrating Smart Contracts and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Enhanced Coordination and Automation

by
Ningshuang Zeng
1,*,
Xuling Ye
2,
Shiqi Chen
1,
Yan Liu
3 and
Qiming Li
1
1
School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
2
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
3
School of Management and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(21), 11670; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111670
Submission received: 15 September 2025 / Revised: 24 October 2025 / Accepted: 27 October 2025 / Published: 31 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Construction and Operation for Infrastructure)
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Abstract

Although existing models and theories have explained systemic behaviors such as demand amplification and disruption propagation, practical challenges in Modular Construction Supply Chains (MCSC) remain unresolved due to production heterogeneity, geographic dispersion, and conflicting stakeholder interests. In addition, the lack of digital infrastructure and process-level data integration continues to hinder the development of automation and intelligent decision-making. To address these issues, this study develops an MCSC coordination system informed by industrial input. The system features a novel dual-engine architecture that integrates blockchain-enabled smart contracts and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). It also incorporates a practice-oriented approach to MCSC Supply Batch (MSB)-based management, using industrial insights to define the MSB as the fundamental coordination unit in process execution. The automatic triggering mechanism enabled by MSBs and dual-engine enables task-to-task transitions while maintaining traceability and operational clarity across supply chain nodes. A real-world case study validates the effectiveness of the proposed system in enhancing traceability, automation, and stakeholder collaboration within MCSC environments.
Keywords: smart contract; RPA; automation; modular construction; supply chain coordination smart contract; RPA; automation; modular construction; supply chain coordination

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zeng, N.; Ye, X.; Chen, S.; Liu, Y.; Li, Q. Transforming Modular Construction Supply Chains: Integrating Smart Contracts and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Enhanced Coordination and Automation. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 11670. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111670

AMA Style

Zeng N, Ye X, Chen S, Liu Y, Li Q. Transforming Modular Construction Supply Chains: Integrating Smart Contracts and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Enhanced Coordination and Automation. Applied Sciences. 2025; 15(21):11670. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111670

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zeng, Ningshuang, Xuling Ye, Shiqi Chen, Yan Liu, and Qiming Li. 2025. "Transforming Modular Construction Supply Chains: Integrating Smart Contracts and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Enhanced Coordination and Automation" Applied Sciences 15, no. 21: 11670. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111670

APA Style

Zeng, N., Ye, X., Chen, S., Liu, Y., & Li, Q. (2025). Transforming Modular Construction Supply Chains: Integrating Smart Contracts and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Enhanced Coordination and Automation. Applied Sciences, 15(21), 11670. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111670

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