Zulu, S L; Zulu, E; Chabala, M and Chunda, N (2023) Drivers and barriers to sustainability practices in the Zambian construction industry. International Journal of Construction Management, 23(12), pp. 2116-2125. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Zambia, and Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) generally, is lagging behind in the area of sustainable construction due to several barriers to the implementation of sustainable construction. This study therefore explored drivers and barriers to the adoption of sustainable construction practices in Zambia. The study could inform stakeholders on measures which could improve the implementation of sustainable construction. The study used an online quantitative questionnaire survey of construction professionals and clients. A total of 112 responses were received representing various stakeholder groups in the construction industry. The data were subjected to factor analysis and ranked using the relative importance index. The data show that drivers to sustainable construction cluster into three constructs namely, environment and health-related factors, regulatory and industry-related factors and, economy and firm-related factors. Barriers clustered into three groups namely, awareness and knowledge-related factors, regulatory and industry-related factors and, economy and cost-related factors. Therefore, measures aimed at improving sustainable construction in Zambia should focus attention on these broad clusters.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | drivers and barriers; sustainability practices; sustainable buildings; sustainable construction; Zambian construction industry |
| Index terms: | Africa, Zambia, construction professional, factor analysis, implementation, construction industry, sustainable construction, sustainable construction practice, relative importance index, survey, sustainable building, questionnaire |
| Subjects: | regions and continents, contractual arrangements, risk assessment, data collection methods, statistical analysis, industry analysis, sustainable construction, professional development, Geography |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Geographical Context, Information Management, Risk Management, Procurement, Sustainability |
| 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