Sexton, M G (2000) Sustainable built environments and construction activity through dynamic research agendas. PhD thesis, University of Salford, UK.
Abstract
There is a growing consensus that appropriate strategies and actions are needed to develop sustainable built environments and construction activity. This thesis contextualises this consensus within the broader sustainable development literature. First, the review of the literature culminates in the development of the Holographic Dynamic PSR (pressure, state, response) model as a holistic, system-orientated framework to better understand the focus of, and interaction between, stakeholders' worldviews and actions to progress sustainable development. Second, five systemically linked hypotheses are articulated to test the argument that the current body of research knowledge is not sufficiently focused and integrated to support progressive, significant and balanced sustainable development. The hypotheses are tested using built environment and construction activity specific literature, through a 'nested' research methodology comprising an interpretative philosophy, a soft systems research approach and literature review and synthesis research techniques. The thesis substantially supports the overall argument mapped out by the hypotheses, and proposes both a generic dynamic research agenda framework to progress sustainable development in general; and a UK prioritised research agenda for sustainable built environments and construction activity.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | built environment; sustainable development; stakeholders |
| Index terms: | construction activity, interaction, research methodology, built environment, strategy, literature review, sustainable development, philosophy, research agenda |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, construction operations, research design and methodology, research management, infrastructure and transport systems, philosophical studies, behavioral psychology, management, health safety and environment |
| Topics: | Site Management, Urban Studies, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Health and Safety |
| 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