Unuigbe, M; Zulu, S L and Johnston, D (2020) Renewable energy sources and technologies in commercial buildings: Understanding the Nigerian experience. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 10(2), pp. 231-245. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions and experiences of building practitioners in the adoption of renewable energy (RE) in commercial buildings in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative methodology was used guided by the principles of the Grounded Theory Method (GTM). Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of five industry practitioners. Findings: Five distinct factors emerged, namely, being compliant, change in mindset, normalising, being autonomous and identity. The research revealed the significance of contextual (cultural) peculiarities and the role identity plays in informing RE adoption. The findings substantiate the significance of RE adoption in the future practice of building practitioners and in ensuring environmental stability within the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) context. Research limitations/implications: The study focuses on commercial office buildings and attempts to provide contextual grounding to inform theory generation as part of a wider study. Originality/value: This research contributes methodologically and empirically by providing grounded insight into the adoption of RE in commercial buildings. Thereby, enabling a much greater understanding of the issues associated with enhanced promotion and adoption by professionals and stakeholders, which can inform policy interventions. Furthermore, it will benefit further research within the SSA context and provide valuable lessons associated with adopting GTM in construction research.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | commercial building; grounded theory method; Nigeria; renewable energy; sub-saharan Africa; sustainable building |
| Index terms: | promotion, interview, Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, commercial office, stability, mindset, grounded theory, identity, practitioner, methodology, commercial building, sustainable building, building practitioner, renewable energy source, renewable energy |
| Subjects: | construction type, data collection methods, health behaviours and lifestyles, practitioner, energy systems, structural engineering, management, theoretical framing, physical geography and landforms, research methods, Geography, sustainable construction, sociology |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Sustainability |
| 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