Challenges in managing green building projects from the view of the contractors: An exploratory study in Vietnam

Abstract

Success of green building projects is significantly dependent on the capacity of all stakeholders. In order to improve the success of such projects, this study seeks to gain a better and deeper understanding of the critical challenges facing the contractors in executing green building projects. The methodological framework used consists of a literature review and a questionnaire survey of green construction experts in Vietnam. The data collected from 163 expert responses was used to conduct the test of Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, Chi square tests, ANOVA and mean ranking analysis. The results indicate that the top five challenges facing the contractors in executing green building projects are “lack of legal regulations and technical codes, standards, guidelines on green building”, “more difficult to early establish a competent, integrated, multidisciplinary green project team”, “more difficult for comprehending the green specifications”, “more difficulty in the selection of competent subcontractors in providing green building services”, and “shortage of reliable green building methods, materials, technologies, and equipments in the market.” The findings bring out valuable implications for the government, the industry practitioners and stakeholders in improving the success of the green building projects in the future. Given the limited empirical studies on issues influencing the success of delivering green building projects, the present study also makes a contribution to the body of knowledge.