Alhallaq, M. and Artan, D. (2026) Assessing contractors' circular economy performance: Barriers and system requirements. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, pp. 1-20. ISSN 2398-4708
Abstract
Purpose – Contractors are undergoing a transformation to adopt circular economy (CE) principles. Performance assessment is crucial to this transformation; however, existing CE performance assessment (CEPA) systems demonstrate limited applicability to contractors, and a significant research gap remains concerning contractors' requirements for system-level integration. This study identifies the system requirements for assessing contractors' CE performance and proposes quantifiable strategies for measuring and promoting circularity at the firm level. Design/methodology/approach – CEPA models are examined through a systematic literature review to develop a theoretical framework outlining methodological approaches, indicators, technologies, and barriers to applicability. Semi-structured interviews with 15 CE experts identify additional barriers in practice and system requirements, which are subsequently validated and prioritised through a survey of 32 ENR-listed Turkish contractors operating internationally. Findings – Among 16 CEPA models reviewed, most target manufacturing contexts and remain conceptual, lacking empirical validation. Key barriers include the absence of construction-specific indicators aligned with ISO 59020:2024, data reliability and management challenges, and usability constraints. Identified system requirements comprise a customizable, user-friendly design, real-time data exchange and transparency. While dashboards are the preferred interface, interoperability with BIM and material passports is considered essential. Originality/value – Rather than introducing another assessment tool, this study synthesises empirical evidence from international contractors to determine system requirements, exploring how data infrastructure, system design and digital tools should be coherently integrated to guide the development and organisational implementation of CEPA, in the quest to accelerate the adoption of digitally enabled circular practices at the firm level.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; contractors; performance assessment; sustainable construction |
| Index terms: | integration, evidence, interview, performance assessment, validation, circularity, usability, real-time data, ISO, dashboard, systematic literature review, sustainable construction, methodology, strategy, implementation, survey, interoperability, transparency, transformation, circular economy |
| Subjects: | research methods, contractual arrangements, management, sustainable design, organizational analysis, business, data management, evaluation and assessment methods, professional development, research evaluation and metrics, assessment methods, standards development, data science, data collection methods, systems and processes, sustainable construction, user-centered design, sustainable materials |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Sustainability, Information Management, Quality Management, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Procurement, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Human Resources |
| 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