Average Propagation Length Analysis for the Construction Industry and Industrial Supply Chains

This study employs Average Propagation Length (APL) analysis to investigate the structural linkages within regional industrial supply chains in the United Kingdom and its devolved nations, Scotland and Northern Ireland, focusing on the construction industry. APL analysis is a pivotal method in Industrial Engineering, offering quantitative insights into the strength, complexity, and extent of cross-industry interconnections. This approach provides a robust framework for understanding manufacturing systems and the intricate relationships that drive sectoral interactions in production chains. Findings reveal that in the UK, the construction industry maintains significant connections with electricity transmission and distribution, gas distribution, and steam and air conditioning distribution. These connections highlight the construction sector’s role as a critical node in the broader industrial network. Geographical distinctions in supply chain dynamics were observed: while inter-industry linkages span two steps in the UK overall, they reduce to a single step in Northern Ireland and Scotland due to their simpler economic structures. The complexity of the UK’s economy facilitates diverse pathways between sectors, resulting in the emergence of intermediate steps during inter-industry transitions. The study emphasizes that industrial linkages across the UK are robust and interconnected, with the service sector forming the core of the industrial supply chain. By driving outward expansion and providing key inputs to industries such as construction and utilities, the service sector underscores the critical role of cross-sectoral integration in enhancing supply chain efficiency and resilience. These findings contribute to the field of Industrial Engineering by providing a comprehensive understanding of regional supply chain dynamics, offering insights into optimizing industrial frameworks and fostering sustainable economic development.