Hayford Pittri, Samuel Oduro, David Wireko Atibila, Oscar Kwame Kwasafo, Aisha Abdallah and Eunice Deedei Anteh
Net zero energy buildings (NZEBs) are essential for reducing the environmental consequences of the construction industry. However, its uptake within the industry has been limited…
Abstract
Purpose
Net zero energy buildings (NZEBs) are essential for reducing the environmental consequences of the construction industry. However, its uptake within the industry has been limited, and the inherent barriers remain not fully explored especially in developing countries. This paper aims to examine the critical barriers that hinder the implementation of NZEBs in the construction sector of developing economies like Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative data were collected from 80 construction professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) using online survey questionnaires. The data set underwent analysis following a four-level analytical protocol comprising reliability test analysis, mean score ranking, exploratory factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Findings
Market readiness barriers were considered the most crucial barriers to the implementation of NZEBs in the GCI with an index of 4.023. This was followed by awareness and policy barriers with an index of 4.007. Finally, resistance to change, then cost and capacity barriers were ranked third and fourth, based on their indices of 3.763 and 3.615, respectively.
Originality/value
The results of this research shed light on a relatively unexplored area within the construction sector, particularly in a developing country like Ghana. The findings of this study will provide valuable information to support policy reviews and formulation and buttress the drive towards sustainability and achieving NZEBs.
Details
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Oscar Kwame Kwasafo, Emmanuel Adinyira and Kofi Agyekum
This paper investigates the impact of green construction procurement practices (GCPPs) on circular economy (CE) success by identifying environmentally sustainable procurement…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the impact of green construction procurement practices (GCPPs) on circular economy (CE) success by identifying environmentally sustainable procurement practices that can promote a CE in the construction industry. The goal was to promote circularity in construction through GCPPs.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research approach was adopted and purposively selected 100 respondents for a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Data from the questionnaire survey were analysed using mean score ranking, One-sample t-test and regression analysis.
Findings
The study found that using on-site systematic waste management, project stakeholder commitment and support for green practices and environmental requirements in technical specifications, significantly impact CE success in construction, with a 12.8% variance in CE when green procurement is practised. This implies that GCPPs have positive repercussions on CE success, where the CE success is expected to change as GCPPs levels increase.
Practical implications
The study provides insights into green procurement, promoting its use in infrastructure development and aiding clients, particularly in the government sector with insights into the challenges and practices involved in green procurement. Practitioners can also benefit from better implementing CE strategies to draft and manage contracts for infrastructure projects that prioritize circularity.
Originality/value
The limited impact of GCPPs on advancing CE principles in construction suggests policy and practice must strengthen procurement requirements to fully leverage spending and drive the sector’s transition towards a circular model. Also, novel insight is provided into the most effective types of GCPPs for promoting CE success, aiding policymakers in optimizing construction procurement strategies.