Pittri, H; Oduro, S; Atibila, D W; Kwasafo, O K; Abdallah, A and Anteh, E D (2025) Examining the critical barriers to nzebs' implementation in the Ghanaian construction industry. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(6), pp. 1898-1918. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose – Net zero energy buildings (NZEBs) are essential for reducing the environmental consequences of the construction industry. However, its uptake within the industry has been limited, and the inherent barriers remain not fully explored especially in developing countries. This paper aims to examine the critical barriers that hinder the implementation of NZEBs in the construction sector of developing economies like Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Quantitative data were collected from 80 construction professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) using online survey questionnaires. The data set underwent analysis following a four-level analytical protocol comprising reliability test analysis, mean score ranking, exploratory factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation. Findings – Market readiness barriers were considered the most crucial barriers to the implementation of NZEBs in the GCI with an index of 4.023. This was followed by awareness and policy barriers with an index of 4.007. Finally, resistance to change, then cost and capacity barriers were ranked third and fourth, based on their indices of 3.763 and 3.615, respectively. Originality/value – The results of this research shed light on a relatively unexplored area within the construction sector, particularly in a developing country like Ghana. The findings of this study will provide valuable information to support policy reviews and formulation and buttress the drive towards sustainability and achieving NZEBs.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; carbon emission; construction; fuzzy synthetic evaluation; Ghana; nzebs |
| Index terms: | questionnaire, methodology, construction sector, fuzzy synthetic evaluation, developing country, exploratory factor analysis, developing economy, survey, construction professional, construction industry, implementation, carbon emission, Ghana, net-zero energy building |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, climate science, decision-making and optimization, development economics, Geography, sustainable design, research methods, economic development, data collection methods, statistical analysis, industry analysis, professional development |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Procurement, Sustainability, International Construction, Research Practice, Information Management |
| 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