Ahmad, I; Rezai, A; Khan, A and Chileshe, N (2024) Circular economy adoption practices within the South Australian construction industry: Awareness, challenges and future opportunities. In: Thomson, C (ed.) Proceedings of 40th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2024, London South Bank University, UK.
Abstract
Circular economy (CE) adoption benefits are well reported in literature. However, its uptake in the Australian construction industry (CI) is limited. Therefore, this paper aims to: (1) examine the current awareness of CE practices; (2) identify CE adoption challenges; and (3) recommend future opportunities relating to the CE practices adoption within the South Australian CI. This study adopts mixed-methods sequential exploratory design, qualitative followed by quantitative. Content analysis and descriptive statistics found the CI as becoming more conscious of CE practices, particularly those that prioritise the use of sustainable materials, reducing the amount of waste, and efficient utilisation of available resources. The challenges were limited awareness and understanding, cost implications, resistance to change, lack of suitable technology, regulatory obstacles, economic implications, and a lack of general industry expertise. Opportunities identified include enhanced sustainability, reduced environmental impact, improved resource efficiency, cost savings and competitive advantage. The findings of this study can help inform the construction practitioners on the adoption of CE practices by addressing exclusive area challenges and focusing on opportunities.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; construction industry; practices; mixed-methods; South Australia |
| Index terms: | environmental impact, resource efficiency, South Australia, sustainable material, statistics, cost saving, construction industry, becoming, competitive advantage, construction practitioner, circular economy, content analysis |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, mathematical modelling, environmental impact, sustainable materials, market analysis, philosophical process, industry analysis, management, physical geography and landforms, economics, sustainable design, professional development |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Cost Management, Information Management, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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