Optimizing policy mixes for promoting prefabricated construction in developing countries: an fsQCA approach

Purpose Prefabricated construction (PC) is increasingly recognized for its sustainability and is being vigorously promoted worldwide. However, its adoption in developing countries remains suboptimal, with existing studies predominantly focusing on policy frameworks or the impact of a single policy instrument. This study addresses this research gap by optimizing the path of PC promotion from the perspective of policy mixes. Design/methodology/approach The study employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) in conjunction with necessary condition analysis, to explore effective policy configurations for PC promotion. A comprehensive collection of 171 PC-related policies issued by the Chinese government was analyzed using text mining to identify antecedent conditions of configuration. Data were further obtained through a questionnaire survey involving 263 valid responses, with fsQCA used to derive the optimal policy configurations. Findings The analysis identified six distinct combination paths for effective policy configurations. Land supply and governmental procurement were found to be core conditions, while fiscal and taxation financial measures emerged as marginal conditions prevalent across all paths. These findings suggest that land supply policies are particularly suitable for regions with limited land resources, such as Shanghai, while government procurement is more effective in regions like Xinjiang, where PC awareness is still developing. Practical implications In practice, the conclusions enable policymakers to clearly understand policy instruments, thereby finding differentiated pathways for promoting PC with comparable effects. The proposed recommendations help advance PC development effectively while reducing financial burden and minimizing resource waste. This provides important guidance for PC development across different regions or stages, helps address regional imbalances in PC development, and ultimately contributes to the broader goal of sustainable urban development. Originality/value This study significantly enriches the research on PC policy combinations by utilizing more comprehensive and robust data, thereby enhancing the universal applicability of the findings. The results provide valuable references for policymakers in different regions, helping to address regional imbalances in PC development and facilitating the construction industry’s transition towards greater intelligence and sustainability.