Effects of low carbon waste practices on job satisfaction of site managers through job stress

Abstract

Low carbon construction has recently become an international issue as construction companies, governments, and communities have witnessed an increasing concern about the degradation of natural resources and pollution in the environment. Although literature abounds with studies investigating the positive impact of low carbon construction on decreasing the emission of carbon in the construction industry, following a low carbon practice might come into conflict with job satisfaction amongst construction site managers, which in turn can negatively affect companies’ performances. This study examines the mediating effect of job stress to investigate the indirect effects of low carbon waste practices on job satisfaction. Data from a survey of 110 site managers of construction companies in Malaysia were examined through the application of the partial least squares technique. The results of the study advocates that unlike the reduce waste management practices, the two other low carbon waste practices, recycle and reuse management practices, positively and directly affected job stress. It was also revealed that only recycle waste management practices negatively and indirectly affected construction site managers’ job satisfaction via job stress. The findings of the research presents an extent of caution for the managers of those construction companies which execute low carbon waste practices regarding the potential impact of low carbon practices on job stress and job satisfaction. From the job stress and job satisfaction points of view, the construction companies should give priority to waste reduction practices amongst low carbon waste practices.