Shaw, J; Osaily, Y and McCann, S (2024) Demolition evolution: Embracing challenges and changes in the UK demolition industry. In: Thomson, C (ed.) Proceedings of 40th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2024, London South Bank University, UK.
Abstract
The demolition industry, in contrast to the broader construction sector, has significantly lagged in research and development. While numerous studies have addressed the persistent challenge of waste management, essential facets within the industry have been largely neglected. Notably, issues such as limited diversity, insufficient educational opportunities, and a lack of engagement with the wider construction sector remain unexplored in existing research. This paper, therefore, aims to explore the underlying factors and consequences of limited diversity, educational opportunities, and engagement in the UK demolition industry. Data for this research were collected through three focus groups with industry professionals, including demolition engineers, consultants, project managers, and designers with extensive experience in both demolition and construction industries. Thematic analysis using NVIVO revealed significant gaps in education, engagement, and diversity, with each theme heavily influencing the others. The findings highlight that addressing these interconnected themes through integrated strategies can enhance educational programs, foster industry collaboration, and promote diversity, driving substantial improvements in innovation, efficiency, and sustainability within the demolition industry.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | demolition; diversity; engagement; education |
| Index terms: | engineer, strategy, designer, efficiency, project manager, focus group, construction industry, construction sector, evolution, program, research and development, collaboration, thematic analysis, waste management |
| Subjects: | research management, industry analysis, performance management, software systems, management, methods and analysis, environmental science, profession, data collection methods, waste management |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Research Practice |
| 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