Doan, D. T.; Albsoul, H.; Shobha, A. R.; GhaffarianHoseini, A. and Ghaffarianhoseini, A. (2026) An integrated challenge-strategy framework for construction waste management in New Zealand: Behavioural and organisational challenges and strategies. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, pp. 1-22. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – Rapid construction growth is increasing construction and demolition waste and associated environmental burdens. Construction waste management involves structured practices aimed at reducing, reusing and recycling waste. Despite its recognised benefits, implementing sustainable strategies remains challenging. This research aims to examine the challenges and potential solutions for managing construction waste in New Zealand, focusing on stakeholder perspectives and sustainable practices. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review of Scopus and Google Scholar identified 43 eligible studies. Ten semi-structured interviews with New Zealand subject-matter experts complemented the review. Thematic synthesis was used to derive challenge domains, map barriers to coordinated strategy packages and develop an integrated conceptual framework. Findings – Six challenge domains were identified: governance and compliance; infrastructure and resource capacity; financial constraints; waste management planning; culture and education and market availability and demand. Strategies addressing these challenges emphasise stakeholder collaboration, financial incentives, education, logistics and infrastructure planning and technological innovation. Public–private partnerships, certification schemes and procurement requirements were identified as enabling mechanisms that reinforce consistent waste-minimising decisions and accountability across supply chains. Practical implications – The framework guides policymakers and practitioners in aligning regulation, incentives, collaboration and technology adoption to improve diversion and material value retention. It supports Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12 and 13 through innovation, responsible consumption and production and reduced waste-related emissions. Originality/value – Integrating systematic review evidence with expert interviews, the study offers a New Zealand-focused challenge–strategy framework that explains how interacting institutional, organisational, and market conditions shape waste minimisation outcomes across design, construction and end-of-life stages.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; construction waste; New Zealand; stakeholder collaboration; sustainable construction; waste management |
| Index terms: | evidence, package, New Zealand, waste management, technological innovation, construction waste, governance, financial incentive, accountability, sustainable development goal, certification, market condition, sustainable practice, consumption, technology adoption, construction and demolition, retention, collaboration, partnership, conceptual framework, interview, infrastructure planning, recycling, methodology, sustainable construction, compliance, systematic literature review, minimization, circular economy, practitioner, strategy, regulation |
| Subjects: | business, waste management, health safety and environment, liability law, economic analysis, sustainable design, management, contractual arrangements, economic and policy analysis, research methods, partnership management, data collection methods, innovation and technology management, sustainable construction, administrative processes, algorithms, sustainable practices, research evaluation and metrics, strategic project management, political science, evaluation and assessment methods, theoretical framing, practitioner, Geography, consumer economics |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Procurement, Project Management, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Legal Issues, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Governance, Contract Administration, Human Resources, Geographical Context, Digital Applications, Stakeholder Management, Business Strategy, Health and Safety |
| 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