Cerić, A and Ivić, I (2025) Communication challenges and blockchain in building energy efficiency retrofits: Croatia case. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(1), pp. 1-15. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: As climate change has become a growing concern, sustainable development has become increasingly important. Emissions reduction is a key step for more efficient energy use. In the last few years, the residential building sector in Croatia has received financial support for multi-dwelling building energy efficiency retrofits (EERs). However, some of these projects encountered difficulties due to information asymmetry between the key participants. This study aims to address the problem from the perspective of the principal-agent theory, which is concerned with information asymmetry and the asymmetry's repercussions. Design/methodology/approach: A social network analysis is conducted to reflect the operation and management (OM) details of Croatian multi-dwelling buildings. The key stakeholders of EER are mapped, along with the contractual and communication ties between them. Using the Gephi software, relationship data are visually represented and statistically evaluated. Findings: The analysis indicated two different clusters or groups of stakeholders in EERs in Croatia and enabled the mapping of key relationships between stakeholders. The findings stress the importance of the key relationship between owner representatives (ORs) and property managers (PMs). Originality/value: The contribution of this study is the development of framework for blockchain implementation in EERs, which can be adapted for use in different markets and/or projects. Blockchain is proposed for minimization of information asymmetry between different stakeholders. Blockchain enables communication and cooperation during project development and enhances trust among stakeholders.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | blockchain; communication; Croatia; energy efficiency retrofits; multi-dwelling buildings; principal-agent theory; social network analysis |
| Index terms: | blockchain, markets, project development, energy use, implementation, owner, energy efficiency, residential building, climate change, gephi, agent, cooperation, methodology, mapping, Croatia, social network analysis, sustainable development, minimization, information asymmetry, manager |
| Subjects: | economic analysis, contractual arrangements, psychology, practitioner, climate science, transaction economics, construction type, health safety and environment, Geography, research methods, spatial and geospatial analysis, algorithms, project delivery, energy systems, data science, sustainability and energy, computing systems, sociology |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Construction Technology, Health and Safety, Project Management, Geographical Context, Procurement, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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