Construction Industry Stakeholders Research Articles

The concept of distress – widely used but what does it mean for individuals working in the construction industry?

Distress is a frequently used concept, conveying a variety of meanings. Clear definitions are needed to promote common understanding, effective communication, and the development of solutions. One occupation in which workers disproportionately report distress is the construction industry. To implement effective models of care, a construction industry specific definition of distress is needed. Face-to-face consultations, qualitative interviews and a voluntary follow-up online survey were conducted with a purposively derived sample of construction industry stakeholders from across Australia (Total N = 56). Based on qualitative analysis of content and themes, we developed and tested a definition of distress as: “an emotional state in which individuals feel that they are not in control, overwhelmed, or are unable to cope.” Findings highlight that distress is a complex issue that can have both personal and work-related causes. Workplace culture, awareness and trust are critical factors in creating a safe environment and supporting individuals who are experiencing distress. Confidentiality and privacy are also important factors that influence disclosure and help uptake. Reducing distress may be explicitly achieved by offering appropriate coping strategies and actions for individuals to regain control and agency; however, a safe and supportive help-offering environment is a prerequisite for promoting help-seeking, and help-uptake behaviors.

Evaluating social media in architecture, engineering, construction and operation industry: a Nigerian perspective on applications and benefits

PurposeIn several developing contexts, the delivery of Architecture, Engineering Construction and Operation (AECO) projects continually grapples with issues such as fragmented communication, a lack of transparency, safety and risk management concerns. These problems result from the use of traditional construction practices and insufficient technology integration. Therefore, there is a pressing need to enhance communication, transparency and collaboration within construction projects in these countries through the improved utilization of innovative tools. Consequently, this study empirically assesses both the application areas and the benefits associated with the adoption of social media within the Nigerian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a quantitative research approach that utilized a structured questionnaire to collect responses from construction professionals. The respondents were selected using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques, resulting in a 75% response rate. Data analysis included mean score value (MSV), standard deviations and normality testing (Shapiro-Wilk) to assess data characteristics. The Kruskal-Wallis H-test was used for further analysis due to the ordinal nature of the data.FindingsThe findings of this study indicate that social media can be effectively used in project management, communication, safety management, as well as marketing and branding of AECO projects. The most significant benefits of using social media in construction activities include building trust and credibility, enhancing crisis communication and improving project collaboration.Originality/valueThis study introduces a fresh perspective by showcasing the transformative potential of social media, traditionally viewed as a communication tool, in addressing complex issues in construction project delivery. Consequently, the findings of this study can offer a paradigm shift in the way construction professionals, policymakers and industry stakeholders perceive and harness the capabilities of social media.

Social network analysis for identifying the significant drivers of off-site construction adoption in Egypt

PurposeRapid urbanization and the shortcomings of traditional construction methods motivate construction professionals to explore faster and more sustainable approaches such as off-site construction (OSC). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers influencing OSC adoption and to explore the key drivers of its widespread adoption in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive global literature review was performed initially to develop an up-to-date list of OSC adoption drivers, which was confirmed in the Egyptian context through a pilot study. Then, social network analysis (SNA) was utilized to determine the most influential drivers as well as shortlist them to construct the final questionnaire survey. A total of 57 stakeholders in the Egyptian construction industry responded. Lastly, the relative importance index (RII) was calculated to rank the drivers, revealing the key drivers.FindingsThe results revealed that higher productivity, improving project quality control, shortening construction time, improving product quality and improving supervision and inspection are the top five drivers. On the contrary, government policies and regulations is the least significant driver.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the body of knowledge by introducing a comprehensive, up-to-date list of drivers, which helps the stakeholders gain a better understanding of the driving enablers of adopting OSC generally and helps Egyptian stakeholders make more informed decisions about its implementation specifically.

Key barriers and mitigation strategies towards sustainable prefabricated construction – a case of developing economies

PurposeThe present study aims to identify significant barriers to adopting prefabricated construction (PFC) in developing economies using a study in Sri Lanka and develop an integrated strategy framework to mitigate and overcome the obstacles.Design/methodology/approachThe research process included a comprehensive literature review, a pilot study, a questionnaire survey for data collection, statistical analysis and a qualitative content analysis.FindingsRanking method revealed that all 23 barriers were significant. Top significant barriers include challenges in prefabricated component transportation, high capital investment costs and lack of awareness of the benefits of PFC among owners/developers. Factor analysis clustered six barrier categories (BCs) that fit the barrier factors, explaining 71.22% of the cumulative variance. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation revealed that all BCs significantly influence PFC adoption in Sri Lanka. Finally, the proposed mitigation strategies were mapped with barriers to complete the integrated framework.Practical implicationsThe study outcomes are relevant to construction industry stakeholders of Sri Lanka, who are keen to enhance construction efficiencies. The implications can also benefit construction industry stakeholders and policymakers to formulate policies and regulations and identify mitigation solutions.Originality/valueThe study provides deeper insights into the challenges to adopting prefabrication in South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the integrated framework is a novel contribution that can be used to derive actions to mitigate barriers in developing economies.

Effect of blockchain technology adoption on construction supply chain: a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach

Purpose The construction industry is frequently scrutinised by the public for a variety of issues, including waste, inefficiency, narrow profit margins, scheduling setbacks, budget overruns, quality concerns, trust deficits, transparency issues, coordination challenges, communication issues and fraud. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of blockchain technology adoption on the construction supply chain. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative research approach through a questionnaire survey that was conducted among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry using the snowball sampling method, which resulted in a selection of 155 respondents. The collected data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling, enabling a thorough assessment of the proposed relationships and offering valuable insights specific to the construction industry. Findings The study’s findings validated the conceptual framework established. The results indicated that implementing blockchain across all stages of the construction supply chain has the potential to improve the construction process. The study also revealed that blockchain technology will significantly affect the construction supply chain in a positive manner. Research limitations/implications This research was carried out in the South-western region which is one of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria using a cross-sectional survey method. The study holds implications not only for local construction practices but will also contribute to the broader discourse on national construction sector challenges and possible solutions. Practical implications The findings of this study will be immensely beneficial to both professionals, practitioners and stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry in learning about the potential of blockchain technology application in improving the construction supply chain. Originality/value The study in this paper constructed and evaluated a conceptual framework by exploring the connections between the variables. The results have significant implications for the construction sector, as they provide avenues for enhancing the construction process and the overall supply chain. These findings are valuable for researchers examining the potential effects of blockchain technology on the construction supply chain.

Evaluating cloud computing in construction projects to avoid project delay

The revolutionary impact of Cloud Computing (CC) technologies has been felt across multiple industries for an extended period. Although the construction industry is expanding over time, the role of innovation in construction is significant. However, not all stakeholders know about adopting and implementing CC for better project delivery. Hence, this paper aims to assist construction industry stakeholders in understanding the current challenges associated with using CC in the sector. The relevant literature review was conducted through a systematic data acquisition method to identify the factors in applying CC in the construction industry. The primary aim is to improve understanding of the current state of CC and its use to reduce delays in research and construction operations and to enhance safety in such projects. A survey approach was utilized in this study with the application of SPSS analysis. The outcome shows that CC may potentially improve overall industrial efficiency by gathering and leveraging data to increase productivity throughout the process, from conception to execution to exploitation. The challenges in access to CC can emerge due to various factors, including challenges in internet connectivity, economic considerations, availability of servers and data management. Furthermore, a conceptual framework has been proposed to provide summarised and organised key factors for CC application in construction projects to tackle project delays. However, the overall evaluation of factors of CC brings some encouraging and positive output which may transform the construction industry significantly.

Scrutinizing the adoption of smart contracts in the MENA Region’s Construction Industry

ABSTRACT The construction industry embodies a paramount role in the economic growth of various nations, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Despite its significance, the industry faces construction disputes and payment issues, inducing financial losses and project postponements. Consequently, the construction industry has mutated smart contracts to enhance operational efficiency, which automates contract management tasks and offers perks, including transparency and efficiency. However, the adoption of smart contracts in the MENA construction sector remains limited, and the region lacks thorough research on this topic. This study addresses this gap by examining the level of cognizance and apprehension of smart contracts among construction industry stakeholders in the MENA region. The research employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze the relative importance of implementing smart contracts within different project lifecycle phases and relevant practices and identify the hindrances impacting MENA’s smart contract deployment. A practical implementation of smart contract-based tendering employing the Trakti platform is paraded. The findings unveiled the infancy of smart contract adoption in the MENA construction sector. They revealed the substantial importance of implementing smart contracts in the Project Execution Phase, Project Closure, and Monitoring and Control Phase, attaining relative weights of 23.23%, 21.62%, and 20.50%, respectively.

Implementing Circular Economy throughout the Construction Project Life Cycle: A Review on Potential Practices and Relationships

The linear economy model that is generally practised in the construction industry is one of the main reasons hindering the achievement of sustainability in construction. Alternatively, the Circular Economy (CE) model is becoming a promising approach to achieve sustainable construction, in which materials and products are circulated at their highest economic value and, thereby, contribute towards mitigating the negative economic, social, and environmental impacts of the construction industry. For a successful transition towards CE in the construction industry, it is important not only to understand CE practices that could be implemented across different stages of the life cycle of construction projects, but also to understand how a particular practice relates to another at those stages. Having limited studies identifying such relationships, this study aims to improve the successful implementation of CE practices in the construction industry by comprehending the practices, along with their relationships, throughout the project life cycle. A qualitative research method consisting of a systematic literature review was adopted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to identify CE practices. Amongst the identified highly cited CE practices applicable to construction projects, design for disassembly, design for adaptability and flexibility, and design for manufacture and assembly ended up being the most significant ones. Consequently, a relationship matrix was developed, highlighting the relationships among the highly cited practices. The matrix emphasises that practices applied in the design stage relate frequently to ones at the following stages, necessitating projects to start with proper planning. This study ultimately assists construction industry stakeholders in successfully and rationally implementing CE practices throughout the project life cycle while enhancing the value addition on the economy, society, and environment.

Exploring the contributions of circular business models towards the transition of green economy in the Ghanaian construction industry

PurposeIn recent times, both academics and industrialists have undertaken research into various areas of circular business models (CBM) in a bid to promote a green economy. Yet despite numerous studies conducted, the ensuing discourse contains scant information regarding the contributions of CBM towards the transition of green economy in the construction industry. This present study therefore aims to explore the contributions of CBM in the transition towards a green economy in the Ghanaian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review was first conducted to identify the contributions of CBM towards the transition towards a green economy. A quantitative research strategy was then adopted to collect primary questionnaire data from professionals with knowledge of CBM and the green economy from 104 participants for the study. The data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis viz. Principal component analysis.FindingsThe contributions of CBM towards the transition towards a green economy were found to be: value contributions (i.e. lower carbon footprint, lower emission of waste by the industry, value creation for clients, innovation in construction materials and methods, reduced maintenance cost, creation of energy efficient infrastructures, improved value proposition for firms, improved sustainability of the industry and reduced pressure on finite resource.); green contributions (i.e. recycling and reuse of construction waste, promotion of green building technology, increased potential for economic growth, increased resource efficiency and creation of green building market) and longevity contribution (i.e. increased life span of buildings). It was evident that CBM make significant contributions in the transition towards green economy and as such, policymakers and other stakeholders within the construction industry must adopt these models to maximize their green credentials and accrue inherent benefits associated with transitioning towards a green economy.Originality/valueThis paper presents a novel and comprehensive study that explores the contributions of CBM towards engendering a green economy. The study’s results provide construction industry stakeholders and policymakers with clear insight into the contributions of CBM towards the transition into a green economy. In practice, this study provides much needed guidance to support construction practitioners to transition towards a green economy in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Appraisal of Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods Used in Construction Industry of Abeokuta Ogun State.

The construction industry is a vital component of economic development in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, characterized by its dynamic and complex nature. With the increase in construction activities, disputes are inevitable, often leading to project delays, cost overruns, and strained relationships among stakeholders. To address these challenges, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods have gained popularity as effective mechanisms for resolving disputes in the construction industry. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive appraisal of the ADR methods used in the construction industry in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The study employs a qualitative research methodology with the aid of focus group discussion strategy employing various stakeholders, including construction professionals, legal experts, government officials, and project owners. The research investigates the types and frequency of disputes encountered in construction projects, explores the awareness and utilization of ADR methods, and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of these methods in resolving disputes. The research highlights the need for increased awareness and education about ADR methods among construction professionals in Abeokuta. It underscores the importance of establishing an ADR framework tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the local construction industry. Furthermore, the study suggests that a more structured and standardized approach to ADR could lead to more efficient and timelier dispute resolution, ultimately benefiting the construction industry's stakeholders.

Effects of Construction Contracts on Performance: The Case of Construction Firms in Kampala, Uganda

The study aimed to investigate the influence of construction contracts on the overall performance of selected construction firms in Kampala district. Specifically, it sought to assess the impact of formally contracting personnel, evaluate the effect of special contract conditions, and examine the role of surety bonds on firm performance within the construction industry. A descriptive design utilizing quantitative methods was utilized. The study utilized purposive and random sampling techniques to select relevant respondents from various positions within construction firms, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. A sample size of 76 respondents was involved in the study. Data collection was facilitated through a structured questionnaire comprising Likert scale type questions, piloted to ensure relevance and logical flow. The study achieved an 88.3% response rate, with 80 questionnaires returned and analyzed. The study found that there exist a significant controlling effect on the relationship between (i) contracted (temporary) personnel and performance of construction firms (r=0.778, p=0.000), (ii) special conditions of contract and performance of construction firms (r=892, p=0.000) and (iii) surety bonds and performance of construction firms (r=0.830, p=0.000). Analysis of performance indicators highlighted the importance of factors such as adherence to construction codes, client satisfaction, and innovative practices in determining firm success. In conclusion, the study underscored the critical role of construction contracts in shaping the performance of construction firms in Kampala district. To optimize firm performance, it is recommended that firms prioritize the recruitment and retention of skilled personnel, adhere meticulously to construction contracts, and leverage surety bonds for risk mitigation. These findings provide valuable insights for construction industry stakeholders, guiding strategic decision-making to enhance operational efficiency and project outcomes.

Critical application areas of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for sustainable construction in developing countries: the case of Nigeria

Purpose This study aims to explore the critical application areas of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for sustainable buildings. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative research approach was adopted through a structured questionnaire administered to relevant stakeholders of construction projects. The data collected were analysed with the exploratory factor analysis, relative importance index (RII) and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE). Findings The study’s results have categorised the crucial areas of application where construction industry stakeholders should focus their attention. These areas are divided into four categories: management technologies, production technologies, sensing technologies and monitoring technologies. The findings from the FSE indicate that monitoring technologies represent the most significant category, whereas management technologies rank as the least significant. Moreover, the RII analysis highlights that tools management stands out as the most important application of RFID, while dispute resolution emerges as the least significant RFID application. Practical implications The study establishes the core areas of RFID application and their benefits to sustainable buildings. Consequently, it helps stakeholders (consultants, clients and contractors) to examine the RFID application areas and make informed decision on sustainable construction. Furthermore, it provides systematic proof that can aid the implementation of RFID in developing countries. Originality/value The study provides an insight into the possible application areas and benefits of RFID technology in the construction industry of developing countries. It also developed a conceptual frame for the critical application areas of RFID technology in the construction industry of developing countries.

Collaborative Construction Contracts

In recent years, construction projects across Canada have encountered significant challenges, including a global pandemic, disruptions in the supply chain, environmental disasters, geopolitical conflicts, war, protests, volatile financial conditions, and the everincreasing time and costs associated with dispute resolution. These challenges have contributed to a scarcity in competitive and reliable pricing under traditional project risk profiles in some regions and sectors. Canadian construction industry stakeholders are increasingly interested in collaborative contracting models like early contractor involvement, progressive design build, integrated project delivery, and alliance models. These models aim to achieve on budget and on schedule project completion, while minimizing disputes and incentivizing cooperative behaviours. Major projects in Ontario and British Columbia are proceeding under collaborative contracting models. Meanwhile, the energy sector in Canada appears to be one of the few industries slow to adopt collaborative contracting models. It is common to see traditional fixed price or costplus design-build or engineering, procurement, and construction contracts on large industrial projects, particularly in Alberta. But the energy sector is not immune to the market factors shifting the tides in various other construction sectors in Canada. If energy projects wish to attract bids from an experienced and varied pool of potential participants and take advantage of some innovative contracting strategies, change may be warranted. This article assesses the features and suitability of these collaborative contracts for the construction of energy-related projects in contrast to more traditional delivery models. The authors provide commentary on their risks and benefits and identify relevant opportunities for the energy sector in Canada to embrace collaborative construction contracting models.

Analyzing the barriers for blockchain-enabled BIM adoption in facility management using best-worst method approach

PurposeBlockchain is a developing technology that affects numerous industries, including facility management (FM). Many barriers are associated with adopting blockchain-enabled building information modeling (BEBIM) in FM. This research aims to identify and prioritize the barriers to adopting BEBIM in FM.Design/methodology/approachTo address the knowledge gap, this study employs a two-phase methodology for evaluating the barriers to adopting BEBIM in FM. The first phase involves a comprehensive literature review identifying 14 barriers to BEBIM adoption. Using a Delphi approach, the identified barriers were categorized into 6 groups and finalized by 11 experts, adding 3 more barriers to the list. The best-worst method (BWM) determines the priority weights of identified barriers and sub-barriers in the second phase.FindingsThis study reveals that adopting BEBIM for FM in India faces significant hurdles. The most critical barriers are “limited collaboration” and “communication among stakeholders,” “legal constraints in certain jurisdictions” and “challenges in establishing trust and governance models.” To mitigate these barriers, stakeholders should foster collaboration and communication, develop efficient blockchain technology (BT) and establish a trust and governance model.Practical implicationsThis work underscores the importance of formulating effective strategies to overcome the identified barriers and emphasizes implications that can assist policymakers and industry stakeholders in achieving successful BEBIM adoption for improved FM practice.Originality/valueThe study provides valuable insights for policymakers, construction industry stakeholders and facility managers interested in leveraging this technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of FM practice in India.

Evaluating the Circular Economy Potential of Modular Construction in Developing Economies—A Life Cycle Assessment

Circular economy (CE) is an emergent concept that promotes resource circularity in multiple product systems. Modular construction (MC), an evolving construction technique, which includes an off-site manufacturing environment, increasingly supports CE strategies such as reuse due to the elevated potential for design for disassembly (DfD). Design-stage environmental assessments are paramount in aiding the early decision making of modular construction projects to successfully plan and implement DfD strategies. Research on synergising modular construction, circular economy and environmental sustainability is rare in developing economies. Thus, the current study aims to conduct a design-stage life cycle assessment of a DfD and linear versions of a modular building unit in Sri Lanka to evaluate the potential environmental benefits. The life cycle assessment results highlight that the DfD strategy has the lowest environmental impacts in all categories, with a 63% reduction in global warming potential and an approximately 90% reduction in terms of human toxicity compared to the linear version. Further, it showed the elevated potential of reuse compared to recycling practices in improving the environmental performance. Sensitivity assessment revealed that steel was the most sensitive to the change in reuse percentage among main building materials. The analysis outcomes highlight the importance of long-term thinking, architectural design creativity and industrial and technology development to uptake the CE-driven MC in the Sri Lankan context. Finally, strategies are proposed to support the CE approach in MC in developing regions. Both quantitative and qualitative outcomes provide a basis for construction industry stakeholders, academia, and policy makers to explore further and promote modular construction practices to enhance the circularity of building materials and components in developing regions.

Stakeholder perceptions of the benefits and barriers of implementing environmental management systems in the Maldivian construction industry

Unprecedented increases in both tourism and population growth have put extreme pressure on the Republic of the Maldives, which has resulted in significant changes to the islands as a result of construction activities. This study is the first to investigate perceptions of the benefits and barriers of implementing environmental management systems (EMS) in the Maldivian construction industry, and what effective measures and strategies exist to drive environmental management practices. A subjectivist stance and deductive approach have been taken with an online survey adopting a quantitative strategy with a range of construction professions across the Maldivian construction sector. Using a central tendency measure of weighted average, the respondents’ opinions suggest that the primary benefits of having an EMS in the Maldives are perceived as the enhancement of corporate image and environmental protection; while the major barriers are lack of legal enforcement and the requirement for company structures and policies to change to accommodate an EMS. The findings also suggest that those companies who establish a waste management plan and where authorities enforce legal environmental requirements are believed to be the most effective means to encourage more widespread adoption. Based on these findings, it is recommended that managers, need to increasingly promote the principles of environmental management and sustainable practices/behaviours amongst construction industry stakeholders. Furthermore, policy makers within the Maldives should be exploring the viability of establishing financial incentive schemes (particularly for SMEs), in addition to encouraging wider adoption of EMSs across the Maldivian industry sectors.

Critical factors influencing the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) using technological adoption framework and structural equation modelling

PurposeThis paper studies the critical factors from the perspectives of technological quality, personal compatibility and organisational commitment using the technological adoption framework (TAF). The proposed TAF studies the critical factors that influence the intention to use building information modelling (BIM) taking into consideration of the “Perceived Ease of Use (PEU)” and “Perceive Usefulness (PU).”Design/methodology/approachThe proposed study is a quantitative research study using the TAF model and the statistical analysis using “Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).” The questionnaires are developed based on the literature review study and disseminated to the stakeholders in the Malaysian construction industry, including consultants, contractors, and clients. The data collected are analysed using PLS-SEM to identify the correlation between the critical factors influencing BIM adoption and the moderation influence of the PEU and PU towards the “Intention to Use (IU)” BIM.FindingsThe data collected from 185 construction industry stakeholders in Malaysia was utilised to develop the structural equation model. The measurement model was analysed in terms of composite reliability, discriminant validity, and collinearity issues. Subsequently, the SEM is analysed, and the findings on the hypothesis on the correlation between the critical factors and the intention to use BIM are examined. The study also examines the mediation effects of the PEU and PU towards the BIM adoption in the Malaysian construction industry.Originality/valueThis research conceptual framework, TAF, is derived from the integration of the existing underpinning theories of the technological adoption model and the technology–organisation–environment framework. This new TAF can be used for the study of new technology adoption. This cross-sectional research study is in line with the “Construction 4.0 Strategic Plan” in Malaysia to establish the current BIM adoption scenario and formulate the framework to promote incentives to promote BIM adoption.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on The Construction Projects in Indonesia: Identifying the Risks from the Stakeholders’ Perspective

Covid-19, which is declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on March 11 2020 has significant impacts in many sectors around the world. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research which analyses the impact of Covid-19 in the construction projects risks in developing countries. Given the lack of research related to the construction projects risks due to Covid-19, the overall aim of the study is to identify and classify the risk in a construction project as a result of Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia. The methodology which is used in this study is by implementing the questionnaire approach with the targets from the related construction industry stakeholders. The findings identified five risks which have the highest possibility to occur in a construction project as a result of Covid-19, in which the highest risk is delayed funding on construction project design (Score: 0,2523) while the lowest risk is unknown threat or vandalism from the neighborhood gangster (score: 0,0136). Further study will focus on the way in which we could develop a new framework model for risk management and preventive measures of these risks adjusted to Covid-19 impact.

KEY BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION OF GREEN BUILDING IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

This study sought to investigate the main barriers to the adoption of green building, with a view to identifying incentives to enhance the implementation thereof in South Africa. A qualitative approach was adopted using semi-structured interviews with purposively selected knowledgeable construction industry stakeholders in the city of Bloemfontein, South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The main barriers identified included; high cost of green building materials, limited knowledge, low demand, lack of green technology and techniques, lengthy process, poor government support, lack of building codes and regulations, lack of awareness and of green material availability. The incentives to encourage adoption included; economic incentives, affordable green building materials, government support, increased awareness and promotion of green building benefits, more financing options, awards and recognition, better accreditation bodies and increased training programs. Despite numerous benefits of green building in literature, there is limited adoption in practice especially in less developed countries. The study provides useful insights into the key constraints of green building adoption, which are useful to construction industry stakeholders in developing policies, strategies and incentives to promote to achieve sustainable practices.

Challenges to implementing circular economy: empirical evidence among built environment firms in Ghana

This study examines the challenges built environment (BE) professionals (comprising Contractors/Construction Managers, Architects, Engineers, Project Managers, Real Estate Practitioners, and Quantity Surveyors) encounter in implementing the principles of circular economy (CE) in the Ghanaian building industry (GBI). A structured questionnaire survey was used to solicit the views of 162 industry professionals working in construction, consulting, and developer firms on the issue under investigation. The questions were developed through a review of related literature. Data obtained were analyzed via descriptive (i.e. mean score ranking) and inferential statistics (i.e. Kruskal-Wallis H test, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses). The findings reveal that BE professionals encounter seven major categories of challenges. These are knowledge and facilities challenges, market orientation and operational challenges, financial challenges, environmental and regulatory challenges, preferential challenges, technological challenges, and industrial and consumer-related challenges. This finding can inform the various construction industry stakeholders of the challenges currently encountered in implementing CE principles. Furthermore, these identified challenges must encourage concerted efforts among stakeholders to find ways to boost the practice of CE principles in the GBI.