Design for manufacture and assembly among designers: awareness, familiarity and engagement

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) is increasingly recognised as a strategy for improving productivity, constructability, and sustainability in construction. However, empirical evidence on DfMA adoption among design professionals in developing countries remains limited. This study examined the awareness, familiarity, and engagement of construction design professionals in Ghana regarding DfMA principles and practices. A quantitative approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire survey administered to architects and civil/structural engineers in the Ghanaian construction industry. Data from 231 valid responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and partial least squares structural equation modelling. Although awareness of DfMA is emerging, formal training and practical implementation remain limited. Respondents demonstrated higher familiarity and engagement with sustainability- and constructability-oriented principles (e.g. environmentally friendly material selection, standardisation), whereas advanced industrialised construction principles (e.g. modularisation, automated assembly) recorded lower implementation levels. The structural model revealed that familiarity significantly mediates the relationship between awareness and engagement, while professional experience strengthens the familiarity–engagement relationship. The study contributes to limited empirical literature on DfMA adoption in developing countries and provides practical insights for policymakers, professional institutions, and tertiary institutions seeking to accelerate industrialised construction transformation in Ghana.