CONSTRUCTION EPCCSU PROJECTS: THE NEGLECTED INFLUENCE OF INTEGRATION AND KNOWLEDGE ON SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES

Abstract

The growing global concerns on sustainability and the vitality of our planet is subject to a strong implication of the construction industry and its significant global value chain. Previous studies show the impact of the construction industry to the earth while a major concern on sustainability knowledge and intellectual capability to mitigate the impact of the industry is pointed out. Furthermore, the EPCCSU (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning and Start-Up) levels segregate the global industry supply chain. This empirical study is orientated by its associated empirical questions through a deep review of previous and current construction sustainability issues and the meaning of EPCCSU phases described on literatures. The review is critically analysed and discussed using content analysis. Construction projects are inevitably subject to hybrid and integrated stages illustrated by its EPCCSU phases. The lack of description of these phases from literatures is mentionable, especially the CSU and its integration. Sustainable construction barriers can be broken down into four categories, namely: economical, construction related, political and client. The study emphasizes the prominent knowledge related character of sustainability issues and its linkage with integration and the hybrid resolution methods to tackle those issues. Further opportunities of study are recommended in the field of knowledge management benefits to tackle and integrate EPCCSU construction levels and its sustainability barriers.