Despite having a significant socio-economic impact on a country’s growth, one of the biggest contributors to waste generation is the construction sector, thus increasing the necessity for innovative construction waste management strategies. Lean Construction (LC) is a much-adopted methodology that helps manage construction waste efficiently. This study investigates the barriers to LC implementation in the UAE’s building construction sector, with a specific focus on its potential for effective construction waste management. Recognizing the urgent need to adopt sustainable practices in the face of escalating environmental concerns, the study employs a quantitative exploratory approach combining literature synthesis, expert validation, descriptive statistical analysis, Relative Importance Index (RII) ranking, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine stakeholder perceptions across eight critical categories: Knowledge/Awareness, Attitude, Management, Government, Financial, Material/Resource, Technical, and Other contextual factors. The RII analysis ranks these barriers based on stakeholder responses, while the PLS-SEM approach models the strength and significance of their interrelationships within a validated structural framework. The findings reveal that while all eight categories significantly influence stakeholder perceptions, Attitude and Management factors exhibit the strongest impact, highlighting the importance of behavioral and organizational readiness in enabling LC adoption. The key deliverable of this research is a validated and empirically supported structural model that provides a strategic roadmap for overcoming resistance to LC implementation. By offering actionable insights into which barriers matter most and how they interact, the study equips policymakers, contractors, and industry stakeholders with evidence-based guidance to design targeted interventions. Ultimately, this research contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable construction by positioning LC as a viable pathway for reducing construction waste and improving efficiency in the UAE context.

ABSTRACT Due to rapid urbanization and population growth in recent years, the global construction sector has expanded significantly, accompanied by serious environmental challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW), which is heterogeneous, widespread and voluminous. This article critically examines the effects of CDW on wetland ecosystems focusing on Diepsloot and Tembisa in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Municipalities. Using a mixed-method approach that combines semi-structured interviews and remote sensing techniques, the study demonstrates how CDW disrupts the physical and ecological functions of wetlands. The findings confirm that CDW causes physical alteration of wetland landscapes, disrupting water flow, sedimentation patterns and natural hydrological processes essential for wetland functioning. The accumulation of CDW in wetlands results in water pollution, degrades water quality and contributes to biodiversity loss through habitat destruction and disruption of species’ breeding patterns. Furthermore, obstruction of natural drainage systems exacerbates flooding and further destabilizes these ecosystems. The article underscores the urgent need for improved waste management practices and stronger regulatory enforcement to mitigate the harmful impacts of CDW. Without meaningful reforms, continued wetland degradation threatens critical ecosystem services, including water purification, flood regulation and habitat provision.

Abstract This paper examines the determinants of productivity heterogeneity among construction firms, integrating both firm-level and local contextual factors. Using a longitudinal dataset of 78,598 firms over 2009–2019, we estimate total factor productivity (TFP) and use a multilevel model across 287 labour market areas in metropolitan France. This approach allows us to separate firm-specific from location-specific effects and explains how the productivity heterogeneity can be attributed to each level. Our results show that firm characteristics significantly affect TFP. Local conditions also play a key role: higher unemployment reduces productivity, whereas higher employment density and median income enhance it. This study contributes by applying a multilevel framework to the construction sector, using longitudinal data for precise estimation, and employing TFP rather than traditional labour productivity as the performance measure. Our findings highlight the joint influence of firm and regional factors on productivity, providing insights for policymakers and managers aiming to improve firm performance and regional economic outcomes in the construction sector. Our results remain robust across different firm size categories, alternative TFP measures, French construction sector sub-sectors and Mundlak's (1978) approach to correcting for heterogeneity bias.

The study aimed to address the principles of circularity and sustainable development in the construction sector in the context of post-war reconstruction. General information on the classification of rubble was collected by analysing analytical reports, laws and regulatory and planning documents. The method of generalisation and systematisation was used to study the existing approaches to forming a comprehensive assessment of the efficiency of rubble processing technologies. Statistical data on the volume of destruction were processed using statistical analysis and data mining. The technical and technological analysis was used to assess the technical feasibility of sorting, crushing and further processing of construction materials. The analysis determined that as of 01.05.2024, a total of 4073 multi-apartment buildings in administrative districts in Kharkiv were destroyed. In the Saltivskyi administrative district, located in the eastern part of Kharkiv, 865 residential units were destroyed, while in the Kyivskyi district in the north-east of the city, 823 were destroyed. The study analysed the destruction in the Kharkiv region, the social and infrastructural burden in the Lviv region, and the specific environmental and transit conditions in the Zakarpattia region. The total direct economic damage caused to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion has amounted to more than 155 billion USD. The massive destruction resulted in significant volumes of construction waste, which poses a substantial environmental threat and needs to be addressed immediately. An analysis of information from open sources and the media showed that the application of an integrated approach to the management of rubble based on the principles of the circular economy not only minimised the environmental impact of massive infrastructure destruction but also contributed to the efficient use of secondary resources in the process of restoring the affected areas. The practical significance of the study is determined by the possibility of applying the results obtained to develop effective strategies for managing construction waste in the context of post-war reconstruction, in particular through the introduction of systems for sorting, recycling and reuse of secondary materials at the national and regional levels

Construction sectors in emerging economies continue to face persistent challenges related to procurement inefficiencies, weak contractor coordination, and inconsistent regulatory compliance. This study examines the extent to which innovation-led construction management strategies can address these structural limitations and improve overall project performance. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative analysis of 186 respondents across multiple project types with qualitative insights from key industry stakeholders. The study evaluates three core domains procurement systems, contractor coordination mechanisms, and regulatory compliance structures using descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling, data envelopment analysis, and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that projects adopting digital tools such as e-procurement platforms, BIM-based collaboration systems, and automated compliance monitoring achieve significantly higher levels of transparency, communication efficiency, schedule reliability, and audit readiness than those relying on traditional management practices. Innovation-led strategies produced measurable improvements across all domains, with procurement transparency and coordination efficiency showing the greatest gains. The study also identifies institutional capacity, technological readiness, and organizational culture as critical enablers of successful innovation adoption. Despite these promising outcomes, limitations such as reliance on self-reported data, regional sampling constraints, and the inability to measure long-term effects warrant caution in interpretation. The study concludes that innovation represents a transformative pathway for enhancing construction governance and project delivery in emerging economies, provided that supportive policy frameworks, capacity-building initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration are established. Recommendations include adopting standardized digital procurement systems, strengthening inter-agency regulatory coordination, incentivizing innovation uptake, and expanding training programs to build digital competencies across stakeholder groups. The research contributes to the growing literature on construction innovation by offering an integrated, evidence-based perspective on how emerging economies can modernize construction management practices to achieve more efficient, transparent, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Waste from the construction sector is a significant component of the global waste composition of many continents. There is a lack of research on the attitude and behavior of workers toward recycling. Although changing workers’ attitudes and behaviors toward recycling in attaining sustainable waste management in the construction industry is a tall order, it is crucial to identify. So, the aim of this study is to comprehensively understand workers’ psychology by emphasizing new factors that can measure their intention to recycle and recycling behavior using the extended Theory of Planned Behavior. This study selects workers of the construction industry of China to assess their recycling behavior by testing the relationships among the proposed study model variables. Past research based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) seldom offers new determinants, such as consequences/Outcomes of Recycling (COR), or investigates demographic factors (age, experience, and gender). This leaves a gap in comprehending the psychological and contextual frames behind recycling in the construction industry. A total of 359 respondents, including Chinese workers, were surveyed and returned the data for further analysis using SPSS and AMOS. The statistical techniques employed are the confirmatory factor analysis. The findings of this study revealed that attitude, perceived behavioral control, and consequences of recycling significantly influenced intention to recycle and recycling behavior among the construction workers. Notably, subjective norms and past recycling behavior were not significant predictors. Moreover, age and experience also significantly influenced the recycling behavior, while gender did not. The study’s main contribution lies in extending the TPB framework within the context of the Chinese construction industry, introducing and validating new determinants (COR, CS) that provide a deeper psychological understanding of recycling behavior. Practically, the results prioritize critical elements for stakeholders, suggesting that managerial and policy interventions should focus on cultivating positive attitudes, enhancing perceived control through infrastructure and support, and leveraging outcome awareness, particularly among younger and less experienced workers, to bridge the implementation gap in construction waste recycling.

This study examines public procurement in Russia’s construction sector, highlighting its deep entrenchment in corruption and state patronage. Based on 50 interviews with 27 business and state officials, we find that authorities enable corruption and tax evasion for self-enrichment and power consolidation. Contrary to claims that digitalisation curbs corruption in public procurement, we argue that state patronage sustains a cycle of illegal practices. A weak judiciary reinforces corruption, increasing state intervention, eroding public trust, and lowering tax compliance. As a result, corruption remains socially accepted, making meaningful reform unlikely.

We present a new single-parameter bivariate copula, called the Stingray, that is dedicated to representing negative dependence, and it nests the Independence copula. The Stingray copula is generated in a relatively novel way; it has a simple form and is always defined over the full support, unlike many copulas that model negative dependence. We provide visualizations of the copula, derive several dependence properties, and compute basic concordance measures. We compare it with other copulas and joint distributions with respect to the extent of dependence it can capture, and we find that the Stingray copula outperforms most of them while remaining competitive with well-known, widely used copulas such as the Gaussian and Frank copulas. Moreover, we show, through simulation, that the dependence structure it represents cannot be fully captured by these copulas, as it is asymmetric. We also show how the non-parametric Spearman’s rho measure of concordance can be used to formally test the hypothesis of statistical independence. As an illustration, we apply it to a financial data sample from the building construction sector in order to model the negative relationship between the level of capital employed and its gross rate of return.

ABSTRACT This study investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) drives green innovation (GI) in the Turkish construction sector by examining the strategic roles of organizational agility (OA) and technological readiness (TR). Grounded in Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), the research explores how AI enhances sustainability performance through adaptive organizational processes and reconfigurable resources. A quantitative design employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze survey data collected from 302 managerial-level professionals across construction organizations. Results reveal that AI significantly influences both GI and OA, while OA not only contributes directly to GI but also mediates the AI–GI relationship. Furthermore, TR moderates these relationships, amplifying the positive effects of AI on agility and of agility on green innovation. This suggests that firms with higher technological readiness are better positioned to convert AI-driven insights into sustainable outcomes. By integrating AI into decision-making, resource optimization, and predictive analytics, construction firms can enhance their dynamic capabilities and improve sustainability performance. The study extends DCT by clarifying how AI-enabled agility operates as a pathway for sustainable transformation in emerging markets and offers actionable insights for engineering managers seeking to foster innovation, digital resilience, and environmental responsibility in an increasingly technology-driven industry.

ABSTRACT The construction sector faces strong pressure to reduce resource use and emissions, yet the reuse of mineral‐based materials remains marginal in Europe. This article uses France as a policy laboratory, given its extended producer responsibility scheme and mandatory pre‐demolition audit. Two questions guide the study: which operational barriers arise across the project timeline, and how do these barriers vary across actor roles. The analysis draws on 69 semi‐structured interviews with project owners, architects, reuse consultants, deconstruction contractors, resellers, construction firms, control offices, laboratories and insurers. The findings identify four clusters of constraints. At setup, thin documentation, liability gaps and unstable cost appraisal limit early feasibility assessments. At design, product variability, fragmented responsibility for requalification and rigid conformity expectations narrow specification options. During preparation, dismantling constraints, supply instability and scarce depot capacity raise costs and delay validation. At integration, storage limits, logistical frictions and uneven operational capability amplify delivery risk and trigger substitutions. The article proposes a dynamic framework that assigns barrier types to roles and phases, complemented by a matrix that associates each obstacle with leverage points, proof requirements and risk‐reduction instruments. Managerial implications include reuse‐oriented briefs, a dedicated requalification function with standard protocols, framework agreements and local depots. Policy implications include stronger audit requirements, a clear CPR pathway, insurance safe‐harbour provisions and fiscal incentives. The framework yields testable propositions and actionable guidance for firms and public authorities.

Thailand faces persistent challenges in its labor market, notably low and declining labor productivity, labor shortages, and skill mismatches in the construction sector. Over the past decade, national development has focused more on capital investment and labor quantity than on productivity improvement. This study aims to address this gap by developing and validating a Structural Equation Model (SEM) to examine relationships among key labor productivity indicators in Thailand’s construction industry, particularly large-scale high-rise projects. Data were collected from 600 construction workers employed in residential projects across Bangkok and surrounding provinces, representing a population of 1,125,400 workers (2013–2019). The SEM incorporated nine latent constructs: Materials, Equipment/Tools, Labor, Safety, Construction Methods, Rework, Weather, Motivation, and Productivity that capture both resource-related and human-factor dimensions. The validated model demonstrated a good fit with empirical data, with all observed variable correlations significant at the 0.05 level. Motivation was identified as the most influential factor on labor productivity (total effect = 0.680), followed by Equipment/Tool performance (0.483), Labor Management (−0.049), and Resource Management/Working Conditions (−0.066). Collectively, these factors explained 92.7% of the variance in productivity. Indirect effects through Motivation accounted for 51.7% of its variation. Findings underscore the crucial role of worker motivation in improving productivity. Housing support had the most substantial positive influence on Motivation, explaining 75.7% of its variance. Construction managers should prioritize motivational strategies, particularly housing support, project-end bonuses, and social insurance, to enhance workforce satisfaction and productivity in Thailand’s construction sector.

Falls from heights (FFH) are a major cause of occupational fatalities in the construction industry. In developing countries, underreporting in social security records limits accurate knowledge of work-related mortality. This observational and descriptive study examined FFH deaths in Ecuador’s construction sector from 2013 to 2023 using data from the Statistical Registry of General Deaths. Cases were identified through ICD-10 codes (W11, W12, W13, W17, W19) with the place of occurrence classified as construction (.6). Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.05), and working years of potential life lost (WYPLLs) were estimated. Fatal FFH incidents increased until 2017 (14.0%), decreased during 2020–2021, and rose again in 2022–2023. Most deaths occurred in Pichincha (48.2%), primarily from falls from scaffolding (W12, 65.5%). The mean age was 39.6 years (95% CI: 38.3–40.9). Significant differences in age by cause were observed (χ² = 9.74; p = 0.045), especially between W11 and W13 (p = 0.040). A total of 8,221 WYPLLs were estimated, mostly from scaffolding and building falls. These findings highlight a substantial mortality burden and the urgent need to reinforce preventive strategies, strengthen compliance and inspection systems, and promote safety culture within Ecuador’s construction industry.

The construction sector is a major driver of economic growth and development; however, its activities, particularly in building construction, contribute substantially to environmental pollution. Roofs, as essential structural components, play a significant role in this environmental impact. This study evaluates six innovative roofing systems-Cobiax, Waffle, Roofix, Hollowcore, Light Composite Panel (LCP) and Contruss-by analyzing their environmental and economic performance.A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using SimaPro and GaBi software, applying the CML methods to assess three key impact categories: global warming potential, acidification and eutrophication. We used Impact method 2002 to analyze human health, ecosystem quality, climate change and resources. EnergyPlus was used solely to estimate the operational energy consumption of each roofing system. This calculation does not form part of the cradle-to-gate LCA and was included only to provide additional insights into energy performance. The main LCA analysis remains strictly cradle-to-gate.The economic analysis indicated that the Contruss system is the most cost-effective option, while Cobiax demonstrated superior thermal insulation and lower heat transfer. Sensitivity analysis identified concrete, molding and reinforcement materials as the primary contributors to environmental impacts, suggesting that optimizing or reducing these materials could significantly lower the overall environmental burden of roofing systems in Iran's construction sector.

Introduction Due to the vastness of various construction practices globally, there is a need for knowledge mapping. Through the utilisation of research on Project Risk Management (PRM) for the Construction Industry, it is possible to carry out an investigation into the processes that pertain to knowledge management. To elaborate on the current research emphasis from three different points of view, namely the influence of political risk, risk assessment, and risk management strategies, the knowledge map analysis method has been elected as the appropriate approach. Knowledge mapping provides a systematic way to visualise research trends, identify gaps, and strengthen the understanding of PRM in international construction projects. Methods This scientific investigation, conducted in the field of risk management research, considers publications related to risk management. The study was conducted as a systematic literature review that adopted bibliometrics approach to explore the data from Dimensions database that have been reviewed using PRISMA 2020 statement. This study intends to present Knowledge Mapping for PRM in the Construction Industry, using data from 2000-2025. The analysis focused on three dominant research dimensions: political risk, risk assessment, and risk management strategies. It uses literature on studies that have been carried out on project risk and provides a comprehensive perspective on the topic. Results The knowledge maps revealed distinct clusters of research activity across the three focal areas. Political risk emerged as a consistent theme in studies addressing international and cross-border construction contexts. Research on risk assessment showed significant methodological diversity, while studies on risk management strategies tended to emphasise both technological tools and organisational processes. Overall, the mapping highlighted increasing scholarly attention to integrated and holistic approaches to PRM. Some under-researched areas, particularly knowledge-transfer processes and cross-national learning mechanisms, were also identified. The findings demonstrate that knowledge mapping is a valuable tool for understanding the evolution and priorities of PRM research in the construction industry. Discussion The study makes use of Knowledge Mapping to offer some suggestions for research areas concerning risk management in international construction projects. These knowledge maps are founded on the investigations that were conducted on project risk management. However, the development of Knowledge Maps offers good contribution to knowledge for best practices in the construction sector. By identifying patterns and gaps, the study provides guidance for future investigations and encourages the development of improved risk management practices in global construction projects. The resulting knowledge maps contribute meaningfully to the field by supporting better decision-making, improving risk-handling capabilities, and informing best practices for the construction sector.

The construction industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, with Digital Twins (DTs) and Extended Reality (XR) as two emerging technologies with great potential. Despite their potential, there are several challenges regarding DT and XR use in construction projects, including implementation barriers, interoperability issues, system complexity, and a lack of standardized frameworks. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of DT and XR technologies—including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—in the construction industry. The study analyzes 52 peer-reviewed articles identified using the Web of Science database to explore thematic findings. Key findings highlight DT and XR applications for safety training, real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, lifecycle management, renovation or demolition, scenario risk assessment, and education. The SLR also identifies core enabling technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and XR devices, while uncovering persistent challenges including interoperability, high implementation costs, and lack of standardization. The study highlights how integrating DTs and XR can improve construction by making it smarter, safer, and more efficient. It also suggests areas for future research to overcome current challenges and help increase the use of these technologies. The primary contribution of this study lies in deepening the understanding of DT and XR technologies by examining them through the lenses of their benefits as well as drivers for and challenges to their adoption. This enhanced understanding provides a foundation for exploring integrated DT and XR applications to advance innovation and efficiency in the construction sector.

Earthquakes represent a significant but often overlooked environmental burden in the construction sector, driven by post-disaster repairs and reconstruction thatgenerate substantial carbon emissions. Here, we unveil the environmental toll of earthquakes in Europe by presenting a seismic risk map of embodied carbon associated with earthquakedamage across residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. We develop a harmonised database of material quantities and carbon factors covering diverse construction materials and building types, which we integrate into a continental-scale probabilistic seismic risk model. Our analysis reveals that Europe's building stock embodies nearly 14 billion tonnes of CO₂e, with seismic damage, based on over three million earthquake scenarios, contributing an average of 6.6 million tonnes annually. These values are comparable to the yearly emissions of millions of cars or tens of thousands of transatlantic flights. Our models and datasets offer a scalable, transferable tool to incorporate sustainability into disaster risk reduction and advance climate-resilient development.

Occupational injuries are one of the important problems of public health and social protection. In Kazakhstan, over three thousand workers are killed or injured in industrial settings every year. In terms of economic sectors, the largest number of victims was observed in enterprises of the mining and metallurgical complex and the construction sectors of the economy.

Purpose The practice of green procurement in construction is gaining attention, particularly in developed countries, where procurement is recognized as a strategic tool for advancing sustainability and quickening the shift to sustainable practices. However, in developing economies, the adoption of green construction procurement practices (GCPPs) remains low due to various barriers. There is a lack of understanding of the barriers to GCPPs in the developing countries, which hinders the implementation and present significant challenges; hence, this study aims to identify and analyse the principal barriers to GCPPs in the Ghanaian construction industry. Design/Methodology/Approach A survey was conducted among 120 construction procurement professionals and stakeholders, yielding an 88% response rate. One-sample t-tests and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyse and identify the principal barriers to GCPPs. Findings Out of the 14 variables tested, the PCA revealed three principal barriers: (1) organizational commitment and attributes of green construction materials, (2) market and materials supply and (3) governmental policies and regulations. These findings highlight the principal barriers militating against the practice of green procurement in the construction sector. Originality/Value The study provides practical insights for policymakers, construction firms and stakeholders to develop strategies and policies that enhance sustainability in construction projects. This research contributes to the literature by identifying key barriers to GCPPs, informing future efforts to promote sustainable procurement in the construction industry.

Regional economic disparities between Lombok Island and Sumbawa Island remain a major development challenge in West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB), particularly in terms of uneven sectoral growth and regional economic concentration. This study analyzes the economic structure and identifies leading sectors in NTB during the 2020–2024 period using the Klassen Typology and Location Quotient (LQ) methods. The analysis employs secondary data on Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) at constant 2010 prices published by the Central Statistics Agency, supported by relevant literature. Economic sectors are classified based on their growth rates and contributions to GRDP to distinguish advanced and fast-growing sectors, potential sectors, and relatively underdeveloped sectors. The findings indicate that regions on Lombok Island—especially Mataram City and West Lombok Regency—are dominated by advanced and fast-growing sectors, primarily modern services such as trade, transportation, accommodation and food services, finance, education, and health. In contrast, Sumbawa Island is characterized by a concentration in agriculture, fisheries, mining, and basic services, which largely fall into the potential or relatively underdeveloped categories. LQ analysis further confirms that Lombok Island’s economic base is driven by trade, tourism, real estate, and educational services, while Sumbawa Island relies more heavily on agriculture, construction, and mining sectors. These findings demonstrate persistent regional economic disparities in NTB and highlight the need for region-specific development policies. The future development strategy is directed at strengthening the base sector in each region, diversifying the economy, and strengthening connectivity between regions to create inclusive and equitable growth.

The construction industry faces some of the highest occupational safety and health (OSH) risks, driven by hazardous behaviors, unsafe conditions, and limited adoption of technology and training. This study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) of recent publications to evaluate the trends, benefits, and challenges of applying Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable devices in construction OSH management. The findings indicate that technologies such as smart helmets, sensor vests, and biometric wristbands enable real-time monitoring, early risk detection, and predictive safety management, reducing reliance on traditional inspection methods. Furthermore, the integration of IoT with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Industry 5.0 principles enhances predictive capacity, infrastructure resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of construction projects. Despite these benefits, barriers including data privacy concerns, high implementation costs, interoperability issues, and shortages of skilled personnel remain, especially in developing countries such as Indonesia. Overall, IoT and wearable technologies demonstrate significant potential to transform OSH practices in the construction sector by improving safety, productivity, and sustainability. However, their broader adoption requires comprehensive strategies, including worker training, strong data protection policies, regulatory support, and participatory approaches to ensure effective and sustainable implementation.