Zhong, Z and Gou, Z (2023) Adopting cross-laminated timber in architectural design to reduce embodied carbon emission in China based on the diffusion of innovation theory. Building Research & Information, 51(7), pp. 834-852. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a quasi-rigid composite engineered timber product that can assist the building industry in reducing embodied carbon emissions. The adoption of CLT in architectural design is of great importance to help to achieve China’s dual carbon goals. This study aims to understand the factors and their effects on influencing architects' intentions to adopt this low-carbon building technology. It applied the theory of diffusion of innovation (DOI), incorporated architects' innovativeness and material properties of cross-laminated timber and used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to construct an adoption model. The adoption of CLT was found to depend on architects' novelty seeking and independent judgement making as well as the trialability, observability, relative advantage and riskiness. Observability had the most significant impact on the intention to use cross-laminated timber, followed by trialability, riskiness and relative advantage. It is imperative to increase the extent to which CLT can be observed and experienced by design professionals, to increase the publicity of its benefits, and to address barriers to uptake. Significant differences were found between architects with different years of work experience, which will help to develop tailored strategies for better promoting cross-laminated timber in China.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | architectural design; cross-laminated timber; diffusion of innovation; green building product; partial least squares structural equation modelling |
| Index terms: | strategy, structural equation modelling, embodied carbon, material property, partial least square, China, architectural design, green building, low-carbon building, relative advantage, composite, cross-laminated timber, diffusion of innovation, building industry, trialability, architect |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, statistical analysis, Geography, material properties and characteristics, professional development, management, design practice, building materials, environmental impact, materials science, innovation studies, profession |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Information Management, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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