Competencies for digitalisation-led circular economy in the Nigerian construction industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate barriers to the adoption of digital technologies (DTs) in the circular economy (CE) transition in the construction industry. The aim is to quantitatively investigate what the barriers to DTs-driven CE are in the Nigerian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA review of existing literature identified 32 barriers to DTs-led CE. A well-structured quantitative research questionnaire was developed and administered to construction experts using a convenient sampling technique via hand delivery and Google form. The gathered data were analysed using arrays of both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.FindingsThe study revealed that the awareness of the digitalisation of CE is high, but the adoption is low. Five themes of the leading 10 factors responsible for the low adoption of DTs in CE transition in the Nigerian construction industry are (1) finance and demand barrier, (2) data management and information vulnerability, (3) skills shortage and infrastructure challenge, (4) poor government and management support and (5) interoperability and resistance problems.Practical implicationsThis study could be helpful to decision-makers and policy formulators, which would provide an avenue for higher adoption of DTs in CE transition in the construction industry, better performance and environmental protection. It also provides a foundation for further research efforts in Nigeria and other developing countries of Africa and beyond.Originality/valueStudies on the barriers to DT adoption in CE transition are still growing, and this is even non-existent in the Nigerian construction context. This offers a unique insight and original findings by pioneering the identification and assessment of barriers to the digitalisation of CE transition in Nigeria’s construction industry.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the potential benefits of digital technologies (DTs) in bolstering the circular economy (CE) transition in the construction industry, to speed up the attainment of sustainable development objectives. Design/methodology/approach A detailed literature review was undertaken to identify DTs that could influence CE transition and the benefits of these DTs in the CE transitioning efforts of the construction industry. Based on these, a survey questionnaire was formulated and administered to construction professionals using convenient sampling techniques. With a response rate of 49.42% and data reliability of over 0.800, the gathered data were analysed using frequency and percentage, mean item score, normalisation value, coefficient of variation, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, analysis of variance and factor analysis. Findings This study found that the construction experts agreed that building information modelling, blockchain technology, RFID, drone technology and cloud computing are the leading DTs that have the potential to influence and speed up CE transition in construction. Also, six clusters of benefits of DTs in bolstering EC are quicken CE transition, proactive waste management, recycling and zero waste, data management and decision-making, enhance productivity and performance and resource optimisation. Originality/value Studies on the integration of DTs in CE transition are scarce and it is even lacking in the Nigerian context. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to assess the role of DTs in CE transitioning in the Nigerian construction industry.

PurposeThe predominance of linear economy practices has contributed to inefficiencies, poor productivity, poor health and safety issues and cost and time overruns, which have impacted the volume of construction and demolition waste generated in construction. Digital technologies (DTs) enable the speedy transition to circular economy (CE) practices to overcome the waste and inefficiencies associated with the linear production system and bring about the sustainability of the built environment. This study investigated the drivers of the digitalisation of the CE transition in construction, with a focus on the Nigerian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was conveniently used to gather relevant data from construction professionals. The collected data were analysed using the relative importance index (RII), the Kruskal–Wallis H test and partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe RII revealed that the assessed factors are important driving forces of digital technologies-enabled CE adoption in construction, and the leading five drivers are optimise product recycling, conversion of waste to valuable energy, regulations and legislation on technology usage, laws and regulations prohibiting poor waste handling and availability of data and improved information exchange. Based on the SEM outputs, the factors influencing the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in CE transition are organisational drivers, economic and business drivers, environmental drivers, social and cultural drivers, technological drivers and government and institutional drivers.Practical implicationsConstruction stakeholders and decision-makers will use this study as input in making decisions that impact the tripods of sustainability (i.e. environment, society and economy). Future studies can utilise the findings of this study as a base to underpin theoretical assumptions and hypotheses.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of quantitative studies on the drivers of technology-led CE transition in construction in Nigeria. This study pioneers research in this area and provides a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of the technology-led CE transition in the Nigerian construction industry.

Purpose The construction industry faces significant challenges in managing waste and resource inefficiency, contributing to environmental degradation and unsustainable practices. Despite the potential of circular economy (CE) practices to address these issues, there is limited understanding and inadequate policy support for their effective implementation. This study investigates the perspectives of policymakers on achieving CE in the Nigerian construction industry. Specifically, this study examines policymakers’ understanding of CE, key influencing policies, the challenges encountered in implementing CE practices and how policies can support the transition to CE. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the perspectives of policymakers towards achieving CE in the Nigerian construction industry. About 50 participants were purposively selected to participate in this study to provide comprehensive data for the study. Saturation was attained on the 34th participants. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and insights. Findings This study identified significant gaps and challenges hindering policymakers' effective implementation of CE practices. The challenges include financial constraints, resistance to change, inadequate regulatory frameworks, lack of infrastructure, skill gaps and weak enforcement mechanisms. Recommendations for improvement include financial incentives, updated building codes, enhanced enforcement, mandatory education and training programmes and increased collaboration between government, industry and academia. A conceptual framework was developed to promote the implementation of CE in the construction industry. Originality/value This study is the first to examine the perspectives of policymakers on CE in the Nigerian construction industry, offering unique insights and practical recommendations. The conceptual framework adds a structured approach to implementing CE practices, contributing to the limited research on CE in developing countries and providing a robust foundation for future studies to expand the scope and employ quantitative methods to measure the impact of CE practices.

Technological penetration across developing countries has impacted the construction industry, with more construction stakeholders deploying various technologies into the building lifecycle's design, construction, management, and maintenance. The building sector has evolved by adopting and implementing smart tools for its operations over the past few years. Building information modelling (BIM), the internet of things (IoT), and smart devices (sensors) are game-changers that have helped to reduce the complexity of construction activity and increase productivity. Meanwhile, introducing the sustainable development concept in the construction industry has enabled the proper management of the earth's natural resources and provided a pathway for ecosystem balance alongside socio-economic development. Amid the skyrocketing population growth, urban sprawl, and globalization, the building industry is confronted with the challenge of providing adequate and holistic built infrastructures such as efficient energy management, good water supply, occupants' indoor comfort, and the management of construction waste. The smart building concept (SBCs), which employs sustainable construction whereby the built product is constructed according to best practices, including efficient energy use, the recycling of raw material, and the realization of a sustainable and carbon-free environment, has demonstrated the digitalization of sustainable development in the construction industry. Therefore, this dissertation seeks to asseeement of the adoption of smart building concepts in the Nigerian construction industry. The research poses the following questions: 1) What is the awareness level of construction professionals in the adoption of the smart building concept (SBCs) in the Nigerian construction industry? 2) What factors can enhance the awareness of the smart building concept among construction professionals in the Nigerian construction industry? 3) What factors enhance the adoption of SBCs among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry? 4) What are barriers to adopting SBCs in construction projects in the Nigerian construction industry? A random sampling technique in selecting the construction professionals. The total population of construction professionals within the study area is 5,108, comprising construction professionals of Architects, Builders (Mechanical, Electrical, and Structural), Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors practicing in Lagos state. The sample size selection was made using the Yamane formula (1967) for calculating sample size. Therefore, the sample for this study is 363. A well-structured questionnaire of 363 was administered to construction professionals to gather relevant data on the topic. The data collected were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis H test and weighted mean, factor analysis, and binary regression analysis, and mean item score and agreement analysis technique. The key finding of the research indicated that construction professionals are generally aware of the smart building concept. Administration, education, organizational, and environmental factors were discovered to enhance the adoption of smart building concepts among construction professionals. Furthermore, the research indicates that energy and cost-saving, job creation, safety and security, and health care are the critical factors enhancing in adoption of smart building concepts among construction professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. Lastly, the research result discovered that the high cost of smart building materials, inadequate power supply, resistance to change from the use of traditional technology, poor maintenance culture, poor knowledge of smart building technology, inadequate well-trained labour in the practice of smart building construction, and inadequate finance schemes are the significant barriers to the adoption of smart building concept. Based on this research finding, the research recommends that construction professionals engage more in smart building concepts, propagating the country's awareness and development of smart building construction. Furthermore, the government should establish a common platform for the collaboration of all stakeholders, such as professionals in the construction industry and academia, by way of policymaking and funding of research and development towards implementing these smart technologies. It will go a long way for employment creation and improve the country's economy. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by discovering the critical factors that will aid the successful adoption of the smart building concept in the Nigerian construction industry.

PurposeSustainable construction practices are strongly correlated with a profitable and competitive construction industry, improved client satisfaction and efficient use of resources. However, due consideration is not being given to sustainable construction practices in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aims to identify the unsustainable construction practices on construction sites, the barriers to sustainable construction and possible strategies to improve sustainable construction in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey of 50 construction sites was conducted with construction professionals on the sites as the specific target, out of which only 43 construction sites have at least a construction professional present at the site. Forty-three filled questionnaires from the respondents were used for descriptive (mean score, standard deviation and charts) and inferential analysis (t-test and Kruskal–Wallis) in this study.FindingsThe study shows that a large percentage (75%) of construction professionals in Nigeria are aware of sustainable construction. The descriptive and inferential analysis showed a disparity in the ranking of the 12 unsustainable practices, 14 barriers and 11 strategies among the respondents. Five unsustainable practices (“negative externalities”, “excess energy”, “unsustainable technologies”, “non-management of health and safety of workers” and “material waste”), six barriers to sustainable construction (“absence of historical data and exemplary projects on which construction professionals can build and learn from”, “lack of professional to handle the task”, “poverty and low urban investment”, “lack of urban and construction policy”, “lack of awareness” and “lack of technical know-how”) and three strategies to improve sustainable construction practices in Nigeria (“cooperation, partnership and participation”, “protection of biodiversity and conservation of natural resources” and “sustainability assessment system”) were found to be significant.Practical implicationsThe study offers significant insights into the construction industry unsustainable practices, barriers to sustainable construction, as well as strategies for improving sustainable construction practices. These insights can be applied to other developing countries with an emphasis on geographical differences.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the recent studies in Nigeria that explored the context of sustainable construction in the construction industry by providing insights into the unsustainable construction practices, barriers and strategies to improve sustainable construction in Nigeria.

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to assess the extent to which environmental economic practices are recognized and implemented in developing countries, with a specific emphasis on the Nigerian construction sector.Design/methodology/approachTo examine the extent of awareness and usage, a quantitative research approach was adopted with close-ended questionnaires disseminated to construction professionals in Nigeria. The collected data were subjected to analysis using various statistical techniques such as percentages, frequencies and mean scores. Furthermore, to investigate any significant differences in the respondents' opinions, the Kruskal–Wallis H-test was applied.FindingsThe study's findings indicate that the level of awareness and implementation of environmental economic practices among construction professionals in Nigeria is limited. Based on the findings of this study, a roadmap of recommendations has been proposed to promote the adoption of environmental economic practices in the Nigerian construction industry. The implementation of these recommendations can help reduce the negative impact of construction activities on the environment and public health and contribute to the development of sustainable cities, communities and societies.Practical implicationsThe outcomes from this study can inform policy and decision-making by providing insights into the level of knowledge and awareness of environmental economic practices among construction professionals in Nigeria.Originality/valueThe findings from this study provide a baseline for assessing the level of knowledge and awareness of sustainable practices among construction professionals in Nigeria, which can inform future studies on the effectiveness of training and awareness programs.

Construction activities in Nigeria will continue to affect the environment until sustainable building practices and the circular economy are completely adopted. To identify gaps and areas for improvement and provide practical recommendations that will support the implementation, this study is aimed to evaluate the implementation status of circular economy and sustainable construction practices within the Nigerian construction industry. To accomplish the aims of the study, a structured survey questionnaire was created, validated, and sent online via a Google Form as part of a quantitative research approach. The six portions of this instrument are A, B, C, D, E, and F. The research main conclusions demonstrated that respondents had a high degree of awareness and comprehension of the circular economy and sustainable construction principles; it also emphasised the notable gaps in the use of sustainable building materials, low-level adoption rates of recycling facilities, low-level adoption rates of more advanced technologies such as recycled water, rainwater harvesting systems, and passive solar design. The findings also highlight the strong commitment of the construction industry to easily implemented and cost-effective waste management strategies, energy conservation, and water conservation strategies. The study further emphasises a lack of strict governmental rules and regulations as the main barrier impeding wider adoption of circular economy and sustainable construction methods in the Nigerian construction industry. It is recommended that the government, through various ministries, should play a bigger role in the establishment of policy, incentives, and education, while construction professionals should assume a greater role to empower their clients with knowledge and awareness of the environmental benefits and potential cost savings associated with the circular economy and sustainable construction practices.

Purpose This paper aims to determine various factors that cause conflict among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach This study made use of quantitative approach. Questionnaires were used as a form of data collection, and it was distributed to construction professionals such as quantity surveyors, architects, builders, civil engineers, project managers and construction managers in Ondo and Lagos state to ascertain various factors that cause conflict among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. A total number of 150 questionnaires were distributed, but 135 were received from the respondents that represent 90 per cent of response rate. In this study, the descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used. Findings The findings from this study show that the major cause of conflict among the professionals is favouritism. This is followed by role ambiguity that occurs due to improper definition of the role of different construction professionals, and it leads to a misunderstanding culminating into conflict. Also, other major causes of conflict among construction professionals in Nigeria include differences in professionals’ experience, differences in level of education, differences in personalities and differences in professionals’ goal and views. Originality/value It should be emphasized that professionals must avoid and desist from any factors that can cause conflict among them. Strict adherence by construction professionals in Nigeria will encourage free flow of ideas and will help them progress. This will actually lead to improvement on professionals tasks.

This study explores the current state of circular economy (CE) practices in the Nigerian construction industry, identifying key challenges and opportunities for their implementation. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 200 survey participants and 20 key informants through structured surveys and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression and factor analysis, to uncover the relationships between variables and the underlying dimensions of barriers to CE adoption. The findings reveal that while there is a moderate level of awareness and implementation of CE practices, such as waste segregation and the use of recycled materials, these practices are not yet widespread. Major barriers identified include lack of awareness, high implementation costs, and insufficient regulatory support. Specifically, 75% of respondents cited lack of awareness as a significant barrier, and 80% identified high costs as a deterrent. Regression analysis indicated that awareness level, regulatory support, and company size positively influence CE practice adoption, while perceived cost has a negative impact. The study also highlights positive perceptions towards CE practices among industry professionals, with 85% of respondents recognizing their importance for the future of the construction industry. Factor analysis revealed three main dimensions of barriers: financial, awareness and education, and regulatory and policy barriers. Based on these findings, the study recommends targeted educational programs to increase awareness, financial incentives to mitigate cost barriers, and stronger regulatory frameworks to enforce sustainable practices..

The Italian furniture industry increasingly adopts circular economy ( CE ) practices to address sustainability challenges. However, CE implementation introduces specific risks related to supply chain fragmentation, traceability issues and consumer resistance to sustainable materials. In this context, supply chain integration (SCI) emerges as a critical capability for managing complexity and uncertainty, yet its role in CE ‐related risk mitigation remains underexplored. While prior studies have examined CE and supply chain risk management (SCRM) separately, few have investigated how integration across supply chain actors enables firms to manage the specific risks of circular transitions. This study employs a multiple case study approach to address this gap, analysing five Italian furniture firms with varying CE maturity levels. Findings show that CE practices, such as the reuse of materials, the refurbishment of end‐of‐life products and digitalisation, are widespread, yet uneven in their impact. Companies with more advanced SCI systems, including shared data platforms and co‐sourcing agreements, are better positioned to mitigate operational and reputational risks. In contrast, firms with limited integration face obstacles in scaling CE due to inefficiencies and low coordination. The study highlights SCI not only as a strategic enabler for circular adoption under uncertainty, but also as relevant for mitigating the risks associated with CE implementation. The findings underscore the need for supportive policy frameworks that foster supply chain integration as a means to reduce risks related to circular transitions and promote their broader adoption.

Purpose The exponential growth of the construction sector exerts considerable pressure on the environment, and the circular economy (CE) concept has recently gained traction as a means of alleviating such environmental issues. In order to propose solutions to the phenomenon of contractors being hesitant to participate in CE implementation in developing countries, this paper aims to comprehensively explore the enabling factors that motivate contractors to implement CE. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on the push-pull-mooring (PPM) theory and extends it by introducing information provision (IP) as a trigger on contractors’ intrinsic subjective initiative states on CE implementation. The study considers what and how positive pull, negative push and neutral mooring factors influence the contractors’ CE transition. The framework was validated by questionnaires collected from contractors in China, and the data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling method. Findings The findings indicate that all factors from the PPM framework exert a positive influence on CE intention, with push factors demonstrating a greater average impact. Furthermore, this study confirms the influence of the IP on contractors’ CE intentions by influencing their intrinsic status. The impact of the IP is most pronounced in terms of contractors’ perceived usefulness and environmental concerns. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in the CE transition studies by extending the PPM theory into the construction industry through the lenses of contractors in developing countries. The results highlight the trigger impacts of the IP on contractors’ psychological status regarding CE transition. Furthermore, it offers insights into government management in the CE transition by providing the government with novel approaches to facilitate the CE transition in the construction sector.

PurposeThis study aims to identify and understand critical success factors for implementing and sustaining circular economy (CE) practices in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More precisely, this study examines the complex interplay between micro-, meso- and macro-level success factors that are deemed critical for implementing and sustaining CE practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a two-stage methodology that combines a comprehensive literature review and an interview study with 12 Swedish manufacturing SMEs that implement CE practices.FindingsThe study identifies and categorizes success factors for implementing and sustaining CE practices in manufacturing SMEs. Based on the findings, a holistic framework is proposed that takes into account multiple perspectives, i.e. at the micro, meso and macro levels. This framework enables a deeper understanding and thus a more nuanced discussion of the complexity inherent in the transition to a CE from the perspective of manufacturing SMEs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate and analyze the level of awareness and adoption of distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) within the Nigerian construction industry. The focus was on addressing the current state of DLT utilization, identifying challenges and opportunities and proposing strategies to enhance the integration of DLTs into the construction processes and practices of Nigerian professionals and organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe research was underpinned by a robust theoretical and conceptual framework, drawing from established theories of technology adoption. A comprehensive literature review guided the identification of various DLT types. This informed the development of a well-structured questionnaire, which was then distributed to Nigerian construction professionals. The collected data underwent analysis using percentages, frequencies, mean scores, the Kruskal–Wallis H-test and the Shapiro–Wilk test.FindingsA significant finding of this study reveals a generally low awareness and implementation of DLT among construction professionals in Nigeria. These findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to bridge the gap between awareness and adoption of DLT within the Nigerian construction industry.Practical implicationsIndustry associations, regulatory bodies and educational institutions can collaborate to develop specialized programs aimed at familiarizing professionals with the benefits and applications of DLTs. Additionally, technology providers and policymakers can leverage these findings to design user-friendly interfaces and guidelines for seamless DLT integration into construction processes.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive assessment of the awareness and adoption of DLTs specifically within the Nigerian construction industry. While the global recognition of DLT’s potential in construction is acknowledged, this research delves into a regional context, shedding light on the specific opportunities within Nigeria. Furthermore, the study’s identification of a gap between awareness and implementation highlights a critical area for future exploration and development in the field of construction technology adoption.

Large seaport hubs in Northwestern Europe are aiming to develop as circular hotspots and are striving to become first movers in the circular economy (CE) transition. In order to facilitate their transition, it is therefore relevant to unravel potential patterns of the circular transition that ports are currently undertaking. In this paper, we explore the CE patterns of five Belgian seaports. Based on recent (strategy) documents from port authorities and on in-depth interviews with local port executives, the circular initiatives of these ports are mapped, based on their spatial characteristics and transition focus. The set of initiatives per port indicates its maturity level in terms of transition towards a circular approach. For most studied seaports, an energy recovery focus based on industrial symbiosis initiatives seems to dominate the first stages in the transition process. Most initiatives are not (yet) financially sustainable, and there is a lack of information on potential new business models that ports can adopt in view of a sustainable transition. The analysis of CE patterns in this paper contributes to how ports lift themselves out of the linear lock-in, as it demonstrates that ports may walk a different path and at a diverging speed in their CE transition, but also that the Belgian ports so far have focused too little on their cargo orchestrating role in that change process. Moreover, it offers a first insight into how integrated and sustainable the ports’ CE initiatives currently are.