ABSTRACT Uncertainty remains a challenge in construction project scheduling, arising from both internal factors (e.g., organizational complexity, resource usage) and external conditions (e.g., logistics, environment, market). Existing taxonomies for uncertainty management often emphasize mathematical modeling techniques but fall short in applicability for construction professionals and educators due to their complexity or narrow focus. This study addresses these limitations through a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA methodology, synthesizing 83 studies to identify uncertainty sources and classify management strategies. Based on this review, we adapted a taxonomy that explicitly distinguishes internal and external uncertainty sources and a novel taxonomy that organizes management approaches into four categories: decision-making frameworks, stochastic models, fuzzy techniques, and uncertainty theory-based methods. Unlike prior frameworks, taxonomy emphasizes conceptual clarity and pedagogical value. It supports guiding method selection for practitioners and students. Additionally, we introduce a vector-based visualization workflow for real-time uncertainty assessment, which enhances interpretability for both professionals and students. The proposed framework bridges theoretical modeling and field application and supports the development of training strategies and curricula in construction management education. It contributes to more adaptive planning practices and better preparation for navigating uncertainty in construction projects.

ABSTRACT Ghana’s increasing demand for two million housing facilities underscores the urgency for innovative construction solutions. Modular construction offers a promising alternative, known for its reduced waste and faster project delivery. This study explores the strategic pathway for off-site modular construction as a sustainable construction solution in Ghana with potential insights for similar developing contexts. Guided by the convenience and purposive sampling techniques, eighty-five (85) quantifiable data were sought from Ghana’s construction industry professionals to identify efficient approaches toward adopting the sustainable solution. The gathered responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, facilitated by analytical tools such as descriptive statistics analysis, relative importance index, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The empirical data highlight the critical need for targeted education, supportive government policies, and academic curricular integration to enhance adoption. The study aims to illuminate off-site modular construction as an efficient and sustainable solution to Ghana’s housing and ecosystemic issues.

ABSTRACT The adoption of circular economy (CE) practices among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Nigerian construction industry (CI) is essential for addressing environmental degradation and resource inefficiency. However, SMEs face considerable challenges in implementing sustainable practices. This study investigates the factors influencing CE adoption among SMEs in the Nigerian CI using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach. Semi-structured interviews with 30 industry professionals were conducted, followed by a quantitative survey of 519 respondents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically, and quantitative data were statistically examined. Findings reveal regional disparities, with the Southwest showing the highest CE awareness and knowledge, and the Northeast and Northwest the lowest. Medium-sized SMEs demonstrate greater CE awareness than smaller firms. Key challenges include skills and training deficits, and difficulties in strategic and operational integration. To address these, strategies such as establishing CE ambassador networks, developing microfinance programs, and creating detailed CE roadmaps are recommended. This study contributes to the limited literature on CE adoption by SMEs in the Nigerian CI, offering insights into the barriers and strategies for promoting sustainable practices.

ABSTRACT Gender disparity in construction management (CM) adversely impacts the profession. Improving gender equity in CM education could help mitigate this problem. This research investigated the university persistence, non-persistence, and graduation rates of CM students to better understand the “leaky pipeline” phenomenon among females. Utilizing data from over 3,700 students who enrolled in a CM program between 1990 and 2017, this study analyzed the timing and magnitude of female and male academic migration patterns. Chi-square tests were utilized to identify statistically significant differences in migration patterns, and Sankey diagrams supported data visualization. Results indicate that students who declared CM as an academic major at matriculation were statistically less likely to graduate than change-of-major students. Primary takeaways include a need to focus on recruiting change-of-major students, specifically females, into CM education programs and the need to provide better support for students who declared CM as an academic major at matriculation. Strategies for improved female recruitment, retention, and other practical implications within CM education are discussed. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of gender-based dynamics in construction education and offers actionable insights for academic institutions’ understanding of gender-based dynamics in construction education and offers actionable insights for academic institutions.

ABSTRACT The construction industry is vital to economic development but faces significant challenges in adopting Construction 4.0 technologies. This study investigates the knowledge, training gaps, and essential competencies required for successful technology adoption within the Ghanaian construction industry. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 207 construction professionals through structured questionnaires. The analysis employed mean score ranking, one-sample t-tests, normalization values, gap analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation. Findings reveal a considerable gap between professionals’ theoretical knowledge and practical training in Construction 4.0 technologies. While there is moderate to high familiarity with these technologies, actual training remains limited. Advanced technologies such as blockchain and robotics exhibit particularly low knowledge and training levels, highlighting critical areas for immediate focus. Key competencies identified as necessary for technology adoption include digital problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted training programs, curriculum reforms, and policy interventions to enhance workforce readiness. By addressing these gaps, the construction industry can better leverage emerging technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness. This research contributes empirical evidence to the limited literature on Construction 4.0 in Ghana and offers insights that can inform future studies and policy frameworks in similar contexts.

ABSTRACT Managing construction and demolition waste (C&DW) demands a fresh perspective and significant advancements to attain a zero-waste circular economy (CE). Yet, in practice, many nations continue to generate increasing amounts of waste, creating a substantial challenge to environmental sustainability. While smart technologies offer potential solutions for transforming C&DW into a CE, numerous obstacles remain. This research, therefore, aims to investigate the strategies for improving smart waste management (SWM) in the South African construction industry. The study utilized a two-round Delphi survey to achieve consensus among expert panels. It focused on 30 strategies identified through content analysis of prior research. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential tests, with the findings validated through interrater agreement analysis. Five (5) strategies for improving SWM were categorized into; policy and regulatory enforcement, technological integration, circular economy practices, economic feasibility, and stakeholder collaboration and engagement. The top five strategies, in descending order of significance, are penalties for noncompliance in SWM, investment in onsite recycling technologies, waste reduction strategies that decrease carbon footprint, embracing the reuse of construction materials, and affordable cost of waste management services. The study contributes practically by offering actionable insights to guide the implementation of SWM.

ABSTRACT Effective implementation of the human resource management (HRM) functions; i.e. recruitment and selection, performance appraisal (PA) and employing relevant retention strategies, would help companies to ensure their competitiveness and reputability. Focusing on construction companies, this study particularly assesses the professionals’ PA practice and the associated challenges, and evaluates the impact on the organizational performance (OP) in the context of Ethiopian construction industry. A mixed-methods approach comprising a questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, was employed in collecting the data. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the impact of the PA practice on OP. The findings indicate a significant dependence of OP on PA practice. Major challenges associated with PA practice include seasonal work fluctuation, uncertain nature of projects affecting professionals’ performance, inability to establish common standardized performance metrics for different project characteristics, and lack of continuous training and development. An improvement framework with four major strategies was developed aiming at improving the PA practice: (i) utilizing standardized PA processes, (ii) providing continuous feedback and improvements, (iii) implementing a strong performance recognition and rewards system, and (iv) establishing clear performance criteria. The findings will provide valuable guidance for the companies seeking to improve their PA practice.

ABSTRACT Green building adoption is lauded as an essential pathway for decarbonizing the construction industry. However, their adoption lags behind, particularly in developing economies. These formulations notwithstanding the literature providing a theoretical understanding of the green building adoption intentions is limited. Against the backdrop, this study modeled and predicted the conceptual factors influencing the intention to adopt green buildings in Tanzania. The study integrated the cost-benefit perspective and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). A structured questionnaire gathered data from 303 architectural, engineering, and construction professionals. Convenience, purposive and snowball sampling methods were employed. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was implemented to analyze the data. The study findings demonstrated that the intention to adopt green buildings is significantly influenced by perceived costs, perceived risks, perceived usefulness, perceived expertise and perceived social influences. The study underscores the need to include perceived costs and risks in explaining the intention to adopt green buildings. The study’s conclusions add to the limited evidence of a relationship between perceived costs and the intention to adopt green buildings. The study contributes to the comprehension of the conceptual factors that influence the intention to adopt green buildings in Tanzania.