Teriö, O; Sorri, J; Kähkönen, K and Hämäläinen, J (2014) Environmental index for Finnish construction sites. Construction Innovation, 14(2), pp. 245-262. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - The primary aim of this study was to better understand the grounds to develop a monitoring and performance measurement method to support the environmental management of construction operations. The practical purpose was to improve environmental activities in construction sites. This study helps to fill the gap between environmental needs and practices on construction sites. Design/methodology/approach - Action research was the principal research method. The research procedure was executed in collaboration with construction companies. The EICS meter was originally developed to create rules for environmental competition between construction sites. Since the time of this competition, the meter has been further improved in other studies. Findings - Based on the literature and feedback gained in the testing round of the EICS, five relevant categories were formulated to evaluate environmental operations: environmental information management, waste management, material handling and shielding, energy use and emissions. A simple index method was applied for these five categories. Furthermore, observation targets and acceptance criteria were defined for these categories. The meter supports environmental management in practise. The method can be used to analyse the starting point level when developing environmental processes. Originality/value - This study offers insights based on action research for both academics and practitioners. The meter is outlined for Nordic conditions, but the structure of the method is also suitable elsewhere. The national demands can be locally fine-tuned.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | performance measurement,environment,management,assessment,construction site |
| Index terms: | environmental management, energy use, testing, monitoring, construction operation, shielding, performance measurement, material handling, practitioner, competition, waste management, methodology, collaboration, construction company, construction site, action research |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, organization, waste management, practitioner, control systems, work location, construction operations, energy systems, professional practice, product delivery, performance measurement, management, sustainability assessment, research methods, safety engineering, market analysis |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Site Management, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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