Athapaththu, K I and Karunasena, G (2018) Framework for sustainable construction practices in Sri Lanka. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 8(1), pp. 51-63. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose Sustainability in construction is a challenging task for contractors due to diminishing natural resources and increasing energy costs. The purpose of this paper is to identify key issues that affect the adaptation of sustainable construction practices by Sri Lankan contracting organisations and propose a framework for successful adaptation. Design/methodology/approach Eight semi-structured interviews are conducted from three selected case studies to gather data on sustainable construction practices and related issues in contracting organisations in Sri Lanka. The proposed framework is validated and enhanced by interviews conducted with seven industry experts in Sri Lanka and the Persian Gulf region. A cross-case with code-based content analysis is used to analyse the data. Findings Gaps in the legal framework and weak enforcement of prevailing rules, less institutional intervention, less commitment of people especially key stakeholders, wrong perceptions on capital costs, and low levels of education and experience on sustainable construction are identified as key issues, similar to the Persian Gulf region. The proposed framework presents suggestions for successful adaptation of sustainable construction practices in the following eight key areas: legal framework, standards, guidelines or policies, design, procurement, technology, processes and innovations, people and organisational structure, education and training, and measurements and reporting. Research limitations/implications The scope of this research is limited to the data gathered from C1 category construction contractors in Sri Lanka and similar category in the United Arab Emirates of the Persian Gulf region. Originality/value The framework for the enhancement of sustainable construction practices via contracting organisations is proposed as an inaugural step to establishing a country-based and industry-specific model to achieve sustainability in the Sri Lankan construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | sustainability; framework; construction industry; sri lanka; contracting organizations; sustainable construction practices |
| Index terms: | Sri Lanka, methodology, education and training, construction industry, United Arab Emirates, enforcement, contracting organization, construction contractor, sustainable construction, organizational structure, sustainable construction practice, case study, low level, energy cost, capital cost, interview, adaptation, natural resource, commitment, content analysis |
| Subjects: | psychology, environmental resource management, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, user focus, practitioner, sociology, measurement and scaling, professional education, industry analysis, cost management, accounting and finance, research methods, health safety and environment, Geography, sustainable construction |
| Topics: | Education, Organizational Design, Design Practice, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Geographical Context, 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