Opoku, D G J; Agyekum, K and Ayarkwa, J (2022) Drivers of environmental sustainability of construction projects: A thematic analysis of verbatim comments from built environment consultants. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(6), pp. 1033-1041. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Lack of deliberations on the environment regarding its designing, utilization, development as well as effective management of the natural environment has led to its pollution. This leaves a lot to be desired especially in most developing countries which are now embracing environmental sustainability. This paper examines the drivers of environmental sustainability of construction projects. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with purposively selected built environment consultants in Ghana within a case study (The Kumasi City Mall project). Thematic template analysis revealed designer’s own philosophy, request by clients, incentives for green designs, policies and regulation, and competitive advantage as the drivers of environmental sustainability of construction projects. Furthermore, the results disclosed specific governmental role and social network utilization as drivers of environmental sustainability of construction projects. The outputs of this study offer strategies which are significant to the construction industry in embracing environmental sustainability. Further, the findings contribute to knowledge on achieving the sustainable development agenda.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction projects; drivers; environmental sustainability; Ghana |
| Index terms: | construction project, thematic analysis, regulation, environmental sustainability, developing country, interview, strategy, social network, sustainable development, philosophy, built environment, construction industry, competitive advantage, pollution, case study, qualitative study, Ghana, designer |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, profession, research design and methodology, management, production management, methods and analysis, Geography, health safety and environment, development economics, market analysis, sociology, philosophical studies, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, environmental health, political science |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Governance, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, International Construction, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here