Project delivery attributes influencing green building project outcomes: A review and future research directions

Ahmad, T and Aibinu, A A (2017) Project delivery attributes influencing green building project outcomes: A review and future research directions. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 7(5), pp. 471-489. ISSN 2044-124X

Abstract

Purpose While the general trends in green building (GB) research are known, there is not yet a detailed review of studies on project delivery attributes (PDAs) influencing GB project outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to understand the contributions of existing research in this area and to identify the challenges, gaps, and lessons for the future research relating GB project delivery. Design/methodology/approach For the systematic review, specially developed coding based on Boolean operators is used to search for relevant studies in major databases, i.e. Web of Science and Scopus. The studies from the initial search (443) are subjected to two rounds of scrutiny for shortlisting only relevant publications. Using a qualitative review of the shortlisted studies (20), the research objectives and findings of the studies are synthesized and critically analyzed. The contributions and challenges facing research in this area are identified. Future research directions are proposed. Findings Studies in the area have established association between PDAs and various GB project success criteria. In the literature, some PDAs such as project delivery method have been given greater attention than others. Challenges facing PDA research in GB include: the limited number of GB project cases and the complexity of GB project delivery process involving an overwhelmingly large number of variables, thereby limiting scientific rigor and creating some gaps in knowledge. The interaction among PDAs and their cumulative effect on various project performance outcomes/metrics have not been studied, limiting the validity of the existing studies. Scope exists to apply a combination of non-linear, dynamic, probabilistic, explicit, and implicit modeling as well as inductive and deductive approaches to research in this area. Research limitations/implications Existing research findings have limited application in practice. Non-linear, dynamic, probabilistic, deductive, and inductive research techniques and approaches can substantially advance knowledge and lead to plausible findings that can be applied in practice. Originality/value Considering the critical role of PDAs in the successful delivery of GBs, the review provides clear directions for future research.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: project success; green buildings; review; project performance; project delivery attributes; success criteria
Index terms: validity, modelling, complexity, methodology, interaction, publication, project delivery, database, project performance, success criteria, systematic literature review, science, green building, project outcome, project success
Subjects: design practice, research evaluation and metrics, behavioral psychology, project management theory and practice, research dissemination and communication, research methods, specialized education, project delivery, assessment methods, analytical methods, evaluation and assessment methods, data management, systems engineering, project completion
Topics: Design Practice, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Procurement, Digital Applications, Education, Research Practice, Project Management
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