Rostamnezhad, M; Nasirzadeh, F; Khanzadi, M; Jarban, M J and Ghayoumian, M (2020) Modeling social sustainability in construction projects by integrating system dynamics and fuzzy‐DEMATEL method: A case study of highway project. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(7), pp. 1595-1618. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This research aims to model the social dimension of sustainability in construction projects. A new hybrid system dynamic (SD)–fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method is proposed to analyze the various factors affecting social aspect of sustainability taking into account their complex interactions. Design/methodology/approach: The various factors affecting the social dimension of sustainable development are identified based on the opinions of 12 experts with an extensive experience in highway construction projects and a thorough knowledge and/or professional experience in the sustainability area. The qualitative model of social sustainability is constructed using SD approach and the complex inter-related structure of the various influencing factors are modeled using cause and effect feedback loops. Fuzzy set theory is applied to model the uncertainty of human judgments. The importance of various influencing factors is then determined quantitatively taking account of their complex interactions using the proposed SD-fuzzy DEMATEL method. The most significant influencing factors are finally determined. Findings: To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, it is implemented on a real highway project and the importance of various factors affecting the social sustainability is determined. A set of complex interrelated factors affecting social sustainability are divided into cause and effect groups, and the root causes affecting the social sustainability performance of the project are determined. Therefore, the required managerial actions can be taken to improve the social sustainability. Research limitations/implications: Well-qualified experts with a well-developed mental model of social sustainability are necessary to provide required input data for modeling social sustainability using the proposed approach. The absence of such experts could be a limitation for the implementation of the proposed model on a new project. Practical implications: The proposed Hybrid SD-fuzzy DEMATEL method provides a practical and robust tool to analyze the various factors affecting social sustainability taking into account their complex interactions. Originality/value: The proposed method offers a more precise and accurate analysis of various factors affecting social sustainability of construction projects since the complex inter-related structure of influencing factors as well as the vague and imprecise nature of experts' judgment is taken into account efficiently.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | dematel; fuzzy; modeling; social sustainability; sustainable development; system dynamics |
| Index terms: | laboratory, hybrid system, sustainable development, feedback loop, system dynamics, construction project, methodology, decision-making, social aspect, judgment, case study, influencing factor, fuzzy set theory, mental model, DEMATEL method, highway construction, social sustainability, dimension, interaction, implementation, modelling |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, analytical methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, data collection methods, risk assessment, control systems, computing systems, dispute resolution, cognitive psychology, sociology, decision analysis, research management, decision-making and optimization, communities and social development, systems and processes, behavioral psychology, research methods, civil engineering, production management, health safety and environment |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Legal Issues, Procurement, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Project Management, 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