Peiroavar, M S and Davoudzadeh, T (2026) A stakeholder perspective on the challenges of sustainable material management in construction projects in developing countries: The case of Iran. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(3), pp. 496-510. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Adopting sustainable material management (SMM) in construction projects is crucial for increasing sustainability and reducing environmental damage. However, SMM implementation in developing countries like Iran is relatively uncommon, with no significant progress. This study aims to assess the significance of SMM challenges in Iranian construction projects from the perspective of key stakeholders. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to investigate the barriers to SMM. A quantitative research technique was then employed to collect data from stakeholders, who identified the most significant barriers: additional costs, a lack of knowledge, complicated codes, extended implementation time, issues with teamwork and uncertainties. The study findings indicate that stakeholders involved in Iranian construction projects have a remarkable propensity to implement the SMM approach, given the proper sustainable steps in material management and a paradigm shift towards the pillars of sustainability. The study recommends the incorporation of SMM into stakeholder education and training to raise awareness, as well as the need for more cost comparison data on sustainable construction materials and the SMM strategy in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | developing countries; Iran; project management; stakeholders; sustainable construction; sustainable material management |
| Index terms: | sustainable construction, developing country, literature review, strategy, construction project, sustainable material, quantitative research, teamwork, paradigm, education and training, project management, construction industry, implementation |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, sustainable materials, professional education, production management, development economics, sustainable construction, data analysis and analytics, industry analysis, project management theory and practice, education and knowledge transfer, management |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, International Construction, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Education, Sustainability, Procurement, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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