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Article
Modeling Inflation Transmission Among Different Construction Materials
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
  • Mohamad Abdul Nabi
  • Islam H. El-Adaway, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Rayan H. Assaad
Abstract

Cost estimating in the construction industry is challenging due to the high uncertainty associated with the supply chain, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Some research studies have addressed such problems by developing models that predict material cost. In fact, all material can be interconnected and interrelated with lead-lag relationships such that any inflation in one material's price can be associated with inflation in other materials' prices, referred to as transmission of inflation. Despite the latter, none of the existing studies have investigated inflation transmission among all construction materials. This paper fills this knowledge gap. The authors used a multistep research methodology. First, Producer Price Index (PPI) data for 16 construction materials were collected and sorted. Second, the vector autoregression technique was used to model the relationships between each pair of material and subsequently validate the associations using the Granger causality test. Third, network analysis was performed to identify the inflation transmission capacity (out-degree centrality), inflation susceptibility (in-degree centrality), and inflation intermediatory capacity (betweenness centrality) for each material. Finally, modularity-based clustering was conducted to categorize the materials based on their price indices' interconnections and examine inflation transmission path among different sectors of construction-related material. The results show that metals and plastic products are generally the highest transmitters of inflation to other construction material including "Fabricated structural metal products" and "Plastic construction products." Furthermore, the results show that "Concrete products, " "Flat glass, " "Brick and structural clay tile, " and "Architectural coatings" are also high transmitters of inflation and thus can be key indicators of increase in the overall construction cost. This paper provides the industry stakeholders with leading indicators and early warning signs for the inflated material prices. Contractors and owners can utilize those warning signs to enhance their procurement plans and budgeting decisions.

Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
5-1-2024
Publication Date
01 May 2024
Citation Information
Mohamad Abdul Nabi, Islam H. El-Adaway and Rayan H. Assaad. "Modeling Inflation Transmission Among Different Construction Materials" Journal of Construction Engineering and Management Vol. 150 Iss. 5 (2024) ISSN: 1943-7862; 0733-9364
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/islam-el-adaway/182/