Quantifying the coupling coordination effect between the prefabricated building industry and its external comprehensive environment in China

Rapid urbanization poses significant challenges for upgrading traditional construction mode to industrialization in China. The prefabricated construction industry has emerged as a crucial trend for future industry reform. However, as an innovative construction mode, its coupling coordination phenomenon with the external comprehensive environment is still unclear. To clarify its interaction relationships, this study aims to quantitatively evaluate the level of coupling coordination between the prefabricated building industry and its external comprehensive environment (P & E systems). Based on the panel data from 31 provincial-level administrative regions of China in 2019, an integrated entropy-variation coefficient method was adopted to establish a comprehensive P & E assessment (CPEA) indicators system with weights. A coupling coordination degree assessment (CCDA) model was subsequently developed to assess the internal interaction between the P & E systems quantitatively. Results show 1) The nationwide prefabricated industry development and its external comprehensive environment were not optimistic, except for Jiangsu. 2) The coupling coordination degrees (Ts) gradually decreased from coastal to central and inland regions. 3) The primary driver of prefabricated building industry growth has been the foundations of traditional construction industries, with substantial untapped potential for technological advancements and policy. This study not only riches the comprehensive assessment system of coupling coordination between the prefabricated building industry and its external environment, but also offers valuable insights for formulating phased and sustainable strategic objectives for its industrial development in the future.