I am working on some course materials and doing research on modular construction, so as I come across information that seems helpful to the community, I will share it here! A good place to start is the Modular Construction Institute at What is Modular Construction? - Modular Building Institute.
They define modular construction (which is also referred to as industrialized, prefab, or off-site) as:
A process in which a building is constructed off-site, under controlled plant conditions, using the same materials and designing to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities – but in about half the time. Buildings are produced in “modules” that when put together on site, reflect the identical design intent and specifications of the most sophisticated site-built facility – without compromise.
The McKinsey company at www.mckinsey.com is always a good place to find research reports. They state that in many countries, modular construction is still very much an outlier. But there are strong signs of what could be a genuine broad-scale disruption in the making. you can download a complete report from them using the link below.
The CSA Group global organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability, working around the world including Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia. View their article on the state of modular on their web site at High-Rise Modular Construction - CSA Group, or download their report in PDF format here.