Olawumi, T O and Chan, D W M (2020) Key drivers for smart and sustainable practices in the built environment. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(6), pp. 1257-1281. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The construction industry has been evolving in recent years through the adoption of smart tools such as building information modeling to reduce the complexity in the construction process and optimize the project's goals. This paper aims to identify and assess the key drivers for the implementation of smart sustainable practices in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Inferential and descriptive statistical techniques were employed in analyzing the data collected via an international empirical questionnaire survey deployed in soliciting the perceptions of 220 construction professionals across 21 countries. Factor analysis was used to categorize the identified key drivers into their underlying clusters for further discussion. Also, the data were analyzed based on the various groups and regions of the study's respondents. Findings: The key drivers (KDs) are related to the technical competence of staff as well as knowledge and awareness level within the industry, issues related to organizational and project's strategy and policies, availability of financial resources and development of relevant standards and policies to aid its execution among others. A comparative analysis of the perceptions of the different respondents' groups was undertaken and discussed. Practical implications: The analysis of the key drivers for the implementation of smart and sustainable practices in the construction industry is expected to aid the decision-making of the relevant stakeholders as well as serve as a consultation instrument for government agencies in their design of localized policies and guidelines to aid smart and sustainable urbanization. The findings revealed the gaps in the implementation of smart and sustainable practices in various climes and organization setups and provided useful and practical strategies for addressing the current hindrances during implementation. Originality/value: The study has generated valuable insights into the significant drivers that can enhance the implementation of smart and sustainable practices across regions. It is evident that synergy among the relevant stakeholders in the built environment will help accelerate the implementation of smart sustainable practices in the construction industry. The study findings have provided profound contributions to theory and research as well as to industry practice.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM; construction industry; drivers; smart sustainable practices; stakeholders; sustainability |
| Index terms: | decision-making, methodology, construction process, competence, questionnaire, complexity, government agency, strategy, comparative analysis, survey, construction professional, built environment, factor analysis, construction industry, implementation, synergy, urbanization, building information modelling, sustainable practice |
| Subjects: | research methods, management, professional development, personnel development, building construction, sustainable practices, decision analysis, partnership management, information systems, statistical analysis, systems engineering, administrative law, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, data collection methods, urban planning, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Site Management, Legal Issues, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Human Resources, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Procurement, Governance, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Information 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