Owusu-Manu, D G; Babon-Ayeng, P; Kissi, E; Edwards, D J; Okyere-Antwi, D and Elgohary, H (2023) Green construction and environmental performance: An assessment framework. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 12(3), pp. 565-583. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: Construction firms worldwide are increasingly taking pragmatic steps towards addressing environmental problems arising from their activities. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of studies focused on the nexus between green construction and environmental performance. Hence, this study aims to examine the linkages between green construction practice and environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach: An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the relevant dimensions of green construction practice and indicators for measuring environmental performance. Variables collated were then subjected to pre-assessment and pre-testing processes. The pre-assessment was used as a preliminary content validation where experts assessed the various dimensions of green construction practice and indicators for measuring environmental performance proposed and determine if indeed the variables represent what the study set out to measure. Data were collected from construction professionals within the Ghana's Kumasi Metropolis. The sample size for the study was 100 experts in sustainable construction methods in the construction industry. A total of 63 responses were received out of the 100 target respondents, accounting for a 63% response rate. Data generated was analysed using mean score analysis and one-sample t-test to determine the level of significance of the various green construction practices and indicators for measuring environmental performance. A Pearson correlation analysis was undertaken to ascertain the relationships that exist among the various dimensions of green construction practice and indicators for measuring environmental performance. Finally, multiple linear regression analysis was utilised to ascertain the effect of the adoption of green construction practice on environmental performance. Findings: The results indicate that all the green construction practices and the indicators of environmental performance identified from the literature were significant at p = 0.05. The study's findings revealed that energy management is the most significant construct of green construction practice followed by storm-water management. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the preservation of water is the most significant environmental performance indicator followed by sanitation. The regression model developed also explained that 75% of the variations in environmental performance are explained by green construction practice. Research limitations/implications: Notwithstanding the study's achievements, one major limitation the research faced was the relatively small sample size. Practical implications: This study provides sufficient data for construction professionals to identify the various green construction practices that could enhance environmental performance. The study's results showed that environmental performance could be improved by adopting the key green construction practices identified in this study. Pragmatic directions are also provided to stakeholders in the construction industry to take a critical look at the environmental performance indicators that were significant. Originality/value: This pioneering research attempts to investigate the linkages between green construction practice and environmental performance in Ghana. Key results provide a critical evidential influence of green construction on environmental performance and make a crucial contribution to the current body of knowledge.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | energy management; environmental performance; green construction; industry 4.0; sustainability; waste management |
| Index terms: | construction firm, literature review, sustainable construction, sanitation, accounting, body of knowledge, waste management, validation, methodology, variation, correlation analysis, Ghana, sample size, linkage, water management, regression model, environmental performance, industry 4.0, regression analysis, energy management, dimension, testing, construction industry, construction professional |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, knowledge management, professional practice, technology adoption, economic analysis, health monitoring assessment and metrics, sustainability and energy, environmental resource management, waste management, research design and methodology, organization, business, industry analysis, statistical analysis, environmental health, Geography, contractual condition, sustainable construction, professional development, sustainability assessment, research methods |
| Topics: | Information Management, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Digital Applications, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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