Abad, F; Rameezdeen, R and Chileshe, N (2026) Understanding barriers to circular economy design in mass timber construction: An innovation diffusion theory perspective. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(15), pp. 22-46. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – The construction sector plays a major role in resource consumption, carbon emission and waste generation, necessitating a transition toward circular economy (CE) practices. Mass timber, as a sustainable and renewable resource, offers a promising avenue for CE integration. However, the use of CE design strategies in mass timber construction (MTC) remains limited. Consequently, this study examines the barriers to the adoption of CE design strategies in MTC. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 MTC experts, including architects, engineers and manufacturers. Thematic analysis, guided by innovation diffusion theory (IDT), was employed to identify the barriers influencing the adoption or rejection of CE design strategies in this sector. Findings – The study identified 38 barriers related to knowledge and the perceived characteristics of CE design strategies. These barriers were categorised into nine subgroups, including limited awareness and practical knowledge, lack of demonstration projects, regulatory and policy gaps, market barriers, industry resistance, technical and technological complexities and time- and cost-related disadvantages. Originality/value – This study applies IDT to examine barriers to the adoption of CE design in MTC, focusing on industry professionals' knowledge and perceptions of CE design characteristics. It explores how these factors influence adoption decisions. The findings offer insights for policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to drive policy reforms, update regulations, integrate circular design principles into industry standards and practices and shape a research agenda that advances CE adoption in the built environment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; construction industry; design for circularity; innovation diffusion theory; mass timber |
| Index terms: | regulation, thematic analysis, methodology, integration, complexity, mass timber, construction sector, design strategy, research agenda, manufacturer, innovation diffusion, interview, design principle, built environment, architect, construction industry, resource consumption, carbon emission, circular economy, subgroup, engineer, market barrier, circularity, waste generation |
| Subjects: | methods and analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, systems engineering, political science, organizational analysis, sociology, design methods, data collection methods, profession, building materials, sustainable design, research methods, market analysis, research management, environmental impact, sustainable materials, climate science, practitioner, environmental resource management |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Urban Studies, Design Practice, Organizational Design, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Governance |
| 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