Analysis of vulnerability formation mechanism of intelligent construction site safety system using an ISM-MICMAC approach

Purpose With the rapid development of information technology, intelligent construction sites (ICS) are widely employed to solve safety issues. However, due to their complexity and risk, the accident rate of ICS is still relatively high. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and analyze the vulnerability factors of the intelligent construction site safety system (ICSS) and explore its vulnerability formation mechanism. Design/methodology/approach This study identified 19 vulnerability factors of ICSS through a literature review, which were categorized into three dimensions: exposure, sensitivity and adaptability. The critical relationships among vulnerability factors were determined based on the results of expert interviews. The interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and matrix cross-impact multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) approach reveals the correlation structure of multiple factors and multiple levels through hierarchical modeling, which helps identify the impact pathways and structural positions of vulnerability factors. Therefore, an ISM-MICMAC hybrid research model was established to divide vulnerability factors into three layers and eight levels and further analyze their driving power and dependence effects, thereby revealing the vulnerability formation mechanism of ICSS. Findings The vulnerability formation mechanism of ICSS is a complex process driven by exposure, sensitivity and adaptability. The interaction of 19 vulnerability factors constitutes a multi-level and multi-dimensional vulnerability formation mechanism. The exposure factors provide the basic conditions for the vulnerability; the sensitivity factors directly manifest vulnerability; the adaptability factors determine the adjustment and resilience of ICSS under the vulnerability impact. Originality/value This study expands the application of vulnerability theory in the safety management research of ICS. It contributes to the proposal of the vulnerability formation mechanism of ICSS. It fills the gap in vulnerability research for ICSS and provides a new perspective on its effective safety management.