Benchmarking Sustainability Practices Use throughout Industrial Construction Project Delivery

Integrating Research Findings into Sustainable Building Delivery Teaching

Purpose The purpose of this study is to get a clearer knowledge of the reasons for, approaches to and challenges associated with integrating sustainable development concerns into pipeline construction projects in New Zealand. To achieve this, this study delves deeply into sustainable construction to understand the reasons behind and incorporate sustainable development trials into their newly established product management and development procedure. As a result, this study looks at identifying key elements of sustainable construction practices and various interpretations of sustainability in the construction industry; offering a strategy for incorporating sustainable construction practices into the pipeline construction project in New Zealand; and benefits and difficulties that the construction industry encounters when implementing sustainable construction. Finally, a framework is developed to help in understanding the issues and potential solutions for integrating sustainable building methods into the pipeline construction project in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach This study followed a four-step method (Figure 1), beginning with the identification of the data, continuing with the first screening of the data, determining eligibility and, finally, including the data. This data collection is being done to provide knowledge and direction for further research. Data were collected from various websites on the Web of Science and from Scopus databases. Additionally, data were gathered with the assistance of aggregator databases such as Scopus (scopus.com) and publishing databases such as Elsevier (sciencedirect.com), Inderscience, Taylor and Francis (tandfonline.com), Emerald Insight (emeraldinsight.com) and Google Scholar. These databases have been considered by a number of scholars to be reputable databases. Findings This research provided a thorough description of the key justifications for sustainable construction. This study demonstrated how the idea worked in practice by reviewing the literature on the relevance and analysis of sustainability in construction. This body of research identified crucial components of sustainable construction techniques and varied interpretations of sustainability in the construction industry. To better grasp the current application considerations in the construction sector, it also offered literature on sustainable construction methods. To determine the most effective strategy to make certain adjustments to the current construction processes, the literature also includes a wide range of sustainability-related topics in both developed and developing country contexts. This study also demonstrated the many perspectives and strategies for sustainable behaviors. Because the purpose of this study was to develop a strategy for implementing sustainable construction in New Zealand, it was of the utmost importance to shed light on the most well-known and prominent sustainable construction applications from across the world. The output of this aim provided the literature on construction practices to acquire insight into the ongoing conversations on sustainable practices and systems in the construction industry. This was done to obtain insight into the existing talks. Originality/value This research's contribution to the body of knowledge is demonstrated by the fact that this study has led to a better understanding of sustainable construction practices in the construction industry as well as the identification of the most significant challenges that businesses, organizations, educators and policymakers must face to improve their ability to put these strategies into practice. This research has provided a solid foundation for future research that aims to advance knowledge in this field by providing options for future research to evaluate the influence that the approach has had on enhancing the implementation of sustainable construction. Additionally, this study presents options for future research to evaluate the influence the approach has had on improving the implementation of sustainable construction. The successful completion of the research aim in the more traditional forms of higher education in the built environment can contribute to a better representation of new trends in the practice area associated with expanding and improving the construction industry sustainably.

This guidebook describes various project delivery methods for major airport capital projects. The guidebook also evaluates the impacts, advantages, and disadvantages of these various project delivery methods. The project delivery methods discussed include design-bid-build (DBB), construction manager at risk (CMR), and design-build (DB). The guidebook offers a two-tiered project delivery selection framework that may be used by owners of airport projects to evaluate the pros and cons of each delivery method and select the most appropriate method for their project. Tier 1 is an analytical delivery decision approach that is designed to help the user understand the attributes of each project delivery method and whether the delivery method is appropriate for their specific circumstance. Tier 2 uses a weighted-matrix delivery decision approach that allows users to prioritize their objectives and, based on the prioritized objectives, select the delivery method that is best suited for their project. The report will be helpful to airports with determining the most appropriate project delivery methods (e.g., DBB, DB, or CMR) for various types of airport capital projects.

Appropriate project delivery method (PDM) is vital to ensure good performance of construction project. For decades, numerous researches have been conducted to develop a structured and descriptive decision-making framework for selecting an appropriate PDM. However, the adoption of structured and descriptive decision-making in selecting PDM in the construction industry is still understudied, especially in the Malaysian public sector. Thus, this paper attempts to investigate the practices and constraints of the Malaysian public sector in PDM selection for construction projects. This paper adopts an interpretive approach by conducting in-depth literature reviews of the numerous related researches, government policy and guidelines of PDM selection. This paper also assesses the effectiveness of the current PDM selection practices based on previous study findings and reports on PDM performance. Findings indicate that the traditional delivery method is prevalent PDM in most Malaysian public-funded construction projects. The Malaysian public sector has practised authoritarian and prescriptive decision-making governed by the government procurement guidelines in selecting PDM, which intentionally preserves political interests. Inappropriate PDM selection in project execution has produced an unconvincing performance by showing optimism bias on the expected outcome. The Malaysian public sector needs to improve the decision-making process by introducing a structured and descriptive PDM selection framework to derive better outcomes and convincing results. Thus, this paper is significant in improvising the decision-making mechanism in selecting appropriate PDM for the Malaysian public construction project.

The demand for commercial interior design and fit-out projects has been increasing steadily, with the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry paying more attention to this area due to the demand for commercial sectors such as offices, retail, and hospitality. Limited research is available on commercial interior design and fit-out practices, particularly on the effectiveness of the design-build (DB) project delivery method in dealing with the project objectives, such as timeline, cost, quality, and client satisfaction. This research aims to identify the significance of commercial interior design and fit-out (CIDFO) in the AEC industry in Auckland, New Zealand. It further evaluates the interior design and fit-out processes and the role and effectiveness of the design-build (DB) project delivery method used by companies in delivering fit-out projects, as compared to traditional project delivery methods. This research engages interpretative and social constructionist perspectives to enrich qualitative data analysis by shedding light on the practitioner’s interplay between social context and individual experiences. Data is integrated through semi-structured interviews with practitioners who work within Auckland's CIDFO industry. The findings of this research captured the practitioner's perception of their understanding of the CIDFO in Auckland and the effectiveness of DB on project timeline, cost, quality and client satisfaction. This was based on their project role and experiences. In narrating the meanings and processes of commercial interior design and fit-out, the practitioners drew on their own real-world experiences of situations and the characteristics of the companies they work in. In doing so, this study fills the research gap on commercial interior fit-out practices and processes. It provides insights into why the design-build project delivery method is perceived to be effective and widely used by commercial interior design companies in delivering fit-out projects. The study will be important for interior designers, architects, builders, and project managers in evaluating the effectiveness of the design-build project delivery method in delivering commercial interior design and fit-out projects.

The construction industry is evolving in how it incorporates construction teams into the planning and design phases, where integrated delivery methods have attracted recent interest due to their various advantages. This paper introduces a new integrated delivery approach, referred to as integrated trade delivery (ITD), that further expands the principles of integrated project delivery (IPD). The ITD model goes beyond IPD by mandating the integration of major trade partners and/or subcontractors to the multiparty agreement and as part of the shared risk and reward framework. Although existing research provided valuable insights into IPD, this paper proposes and explores ITD as a new project delivery method. First, 20 drivers and 20 barriers of ITD were identified. Second, a survey was distributed to assess the likelihood of occurrence and the relative impact of the drivers and barriers. Third, the criticality of each driver and barrier was quantified. Fourth, a statistical analysis was conducted to compare the alignments among various project participant groups. The results showed that the top five drivers to ITD are (1) competent project participants through qualification-based selection; (2) expertise, knowledge, and skill sharing; (3) improved constructability; (4) early involvement of key project participants; and (5) positive working environment and team behavior. The findings also indicated that the top five barriers to ITD are: (1) opposing goals and interests between project participants; (2) uncertainty in project planning and design; (3) financial and cash flow risks due to huge investments and late profits; (4) lack of appropriate distribution of incentive and compensation plans; and (5) involvement of several participants. This study adds to the body of knowledge by being the first research to propose and explore the ITD concept and analyze its drivers and barriers. The findings are expected to inspire further research and practice in this novel area of ITD.

Purpose The construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. This study investigates the role of procurement and contracting methods in carbon emission reduction (CER) in the construction industry. It also examines artificial intelligence’s (AI’s) potential to drive low-carbon practices, aiming to identify transformative policies and practices. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a qualitative methodology, engaging in semi-structured interviews with nine industry professionals alongside an innovative engagement with Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) technology to gather insights into procurement and project delivery methods (PDM) role in CER. The study involved identifying patterns, organizing themes, and analyzing data to extract meaningful insights on effective policies and strategies for CER in the construction industry. Findings The results underscore the importance of early contractor involvement and integrated PDM for CER in construction. Results emphasize the pivotal role of project owners in directing projects toward sustainability, highlighting the need for client demand. The research identifies cost constraints, limited material availability, and human resource capacity as key barriers in the US. The study proposes innovative materials, financial incentives, education, and regulatory standards as effective interventions. It also explores the future use of AI in enhancing CER, suggesting new avenues for technological integration. Originality/value The study provides empirical insights into the role of procurement and PDM in CER within the US construction industry by using qualitative approach and use of a GPT. It underscores the interplay between contracting methods, stakeholder engagement, and AI’s emerging role, for enhancing policies and practices to decarbonize the US construction industry.

Leveraging on Work Integrated Learning to Enhance Sustainable Design Practices in the Construction Industry

Twenty-first century citizens live in an interconnected, diverse and intensively changing world. Developing sustainability and human rights practices is of major importance for the survival of both the present and the future generations. This research study comes to investigate primary education teachers’ sustainability practices in their daily lives concerning the three basic pillars of sustainable development, environment, society and economy. At a second level, it is sought to investigate whether there is a correlation between teachers’ practices and their training in sustainability and human rights issues. The "Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire", in its short version with closed-ended questions-statements was delivered, whereas its reliability and validity were positively assessed. The technique of convenient sampling process was applied, and the sample consisted of 452 primary education teachers working in the Region of Western Greece. Data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS v.28 software. Percentages, frequencies of the mean value and standard deviation were calculated. The test of normality of variables for skills was done with Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and the parametric t-Test was applied to investigate correlations. The internal consistency reliability of the questions of the sustainability practices questionnaire is satisfactory. The findings of the research indicate that the participants are sensitive towards the necessity of recycling, waste management, saving energy, respecting others, and supporting economically weaker people. Finally, it is worth mentioning that teachers who have been trained in sustainability and human rights issues show a greater positive attitude towards sustainability practices than those who have not been trained.

In Bangladesh, the construction industry, where concrete is the main ingredient, has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Many cement manufacturing plants, aggregate production units, ready-mix concrete production facilities, and other factories related to the concrete industry are rapidly increasing. The whole industry is working relentlessly to meet this growing demand. However, little is known about the sustainability of materials, practices, and procedures that are followed in this industry. As a step toward understanding the sustainability issues related to the concrete industry of Bangladesh, this paper elaborates the perspectives held by the members and stakeholders in this sector on sustainable practices and materials through investigation consisting of survey of industry experts and other stakeholders. The investigation is aimed at evaluating the level of sustainability knowledge of different personnel associated with this industry and their concept toward making this industry more sustainable. The different groups of personnel that are interviewed for this purpose include academics, consultants, design and field level engineers, personnel involved in technical issues of cement and ready-mix concrete factories, contractors, and owners of construction-related industries. Available data from these interviews are then processed to examine different features. The data show most of the persons surveyed at least have little knowledge about sustainability of concrete except for the contractors where the majority have no knowledge about sustainability. The overwhelming majority (79%) of interviewees believe that the concrete industry of Bangladesh needs to change to make it more sustainable. Most of those who are aware of sustainability issues emphasized use of alternative ingredients for cement and aggregate production for a more sustainable concrete industry, while a few emphasized increasing durability of structures through better concrete and thereby reducing the overall environmental impact from a life cycle point of view.

Sustainability in the construction industry is a panacea that ensures balance between environmental, social and economic dimensions. Despite the recognition, the implementation of sustainable construction practices faces challenges due to persistent obstacles. It is on this premises that this paper seeks to assess the challenges confronting construction industry professionals in implementing sustainable practice on construction site with a view to develop strategies for improving their adoption and effectiveness. A quantitative research approach was adopted using self-administered structure questionnaires to collect data from experienced construction professionals registered with Green Building Council of Nigeria (GBCN). A mixture of Purposive and snowball sampling technique was employed to select professionals with requisite experience, knowledge and involvement on sustainable construction practice. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics which is relative importance index (RII), to rank the severity of various challenges. The study revealed that professionals encounter significant barriers across economic, environmental and social dimensions. Among factors identified were high initial costs, investment risks and limited awareness of life-cycle cost benefits emerged as the most severe economic challenges. Environmental barriers, including poor understanding of sustainable practices and inadequate access to sustainable materials, further constrain the implementation, social factors such as low prioritization, poor perception, and limited government support exacerbate the situation. The study concludes that overcoming these obstacles requires stronger policy frameworks, increased awareness and training, and collaborative stakeholder engagement. In addition to improvement of awareness and understanding of sustainable construction, the study recommends the need to organize seminars and conferences to educate professionals and stakeholders on the benefits and lifecycle costing on sustainable practice to enhance the effective implementation of sustainable construction practices in Nigeria.

Sustainable construction practices are increasingly recognized worldwide for their importance in promoting environmentally responsible and socially conscious development. In Nigeria, the construction industry is gradually adopting these practices despite facing significant challenges. This systematic literature review aims to evaluate existing literature on sustainable construction in Nigeria, identify current sustainability models and frameworks, assess the adoption and effectiveness of these practices within the industry, and identify key challenges in implementing sustainable construction. Using a systematic approach, the review analyzes peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and industry reports to provide comprehensive insights into sustainable construction practices and models in Nigeria. The findings reveal a growing awareness of sustainability within the Nigerian construction industry, paralleling global trends. However, the review highlights a critical need for context-specific sustainability models tailored to address Nigeria's unique challenges, such as resource scarcity, climate change impacts, and social inequalities. Case studies of successful sustainable construction projects in Nigeria demonstrate the potential of these practices to address these challenges effectively. Despite the increasing awareness, the actual adoption of sustainability practices remains limited, underscoring the need for enhanced policy support, industry practices, and educational initiatives. This review emphasizes the pivotal role of the construction industry in advancing Nigeria's sustainable development. The study recommends the creation and implementation of tailored sustainability models, stronger policy frameworks, and increased collaboration within the industry to promote sustainable practices. These steps are crucial for addressing social disparities, enhancing environmental resilience, and improving resource efficiency, ultimately fostering a more resilient and sustainable future for Nigeria.

This study investigated farmers’ use of sustainable production practices for yellow pepper crop in the Nsukka agricultural zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 135 farmers and interview schedule using structured questionnaires was employed for data collection. Data generated were analysed with SPSS software using frequency and percentage, mean scores, standard deviation, factor analysis, and logistic regression. Findings revealed that the majority (91.1%) of the yellow pepper farmers had moderate knowledge on sustainable production practices and that some of the practices used were mass selection (97.0%), use of poultry manure (95.60%), use of improved varieties of yellow pepper (94.0%), crop rotation practices (91.10%), and minimum use of agrochemicals (78.50). Among the factors considered to be potential determinants of farmers’ use of sustainable production practices, only sex was statistically significant, at 5% level. Also, findings indicated that technical, institutional, and economic constraints affected farmers’ use of sustainable production practices. Furthermore, results indicated that sustainable production practices could be enhanced through the use of improved seeds (85.5%), access to credit facilities (77.8%), access to extension services (71.8%), and training of farmers (68.9%). The study therefore recommends that government and private sectors should provide services that will facilitate the development of sustainable production practices of Nsukka yellow pepper crop, as this will have a long-term effect on productivity and the production environment.

The province of Quebec, Canada, seeks to implement relational alternate project delivery methods to achieve sustainability and energy efficiency in public construction. However, the relational differences between the formal written parts of different delivery methods have yet to be analyzed and understood, as is the case with the relational aspects of contracts and the achievement of sustainable and energy-efficient infrastructure. Using a hermeneutic interpretation of Macneil’s relational contract norms and grounded theory, 26 contracts involving Quebec’s largest public client of vertical infrastructure and representing three different types of project delivery methods (design–bid–build (DBB), design–Build (DB), and construction manager–general contractor/integrated project delivery (CMGC/IPD)) were analyzed using NVivo. It was found that CMGC/IPD is the most relational project delivery method available to Quebec’s public clients, namely because of the public client’s active involvement in the realization process, the increasing complexity of roles, the multitude of common management structures, and the internalization of sustainability measures and conflict resolution. Furthermore, Quebec’s CMGC/IPD was found to be an IPD-ish delivery method, lacking the early involvement of the construction manager and the risk/reward sharing mechanisms necessary to achieve pure IPD status. The findings and theoretical considerations discussed here will help policymakers, contract drafters, and public clients interested in implementing relational contracting practices in public construction projects.

Purpose This paper presents an in-depth case study on an agile hybrid project delivery approach in the context of a complex building design problem. The study aims to understand and evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive project delivery strategies in uncertain and complex project processes where integrated and agile methods are necessary for project development. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a qualitative research design based on an instrumental case study. An agile hybrid project delivery framework was devised by combining agile and integrated project delivery methods. The interdisciplinary design and engineering tasks were recorded and evaluated with the process and product quality dimensions. The findings were reported through a thematic analysis to highlight the strategies, benefits, and challenges within the agile hybrid project experience. Findings The results from the case study suggest that the proposed agile-hybrid approach provided an adequate basis for complex design projects with changing factors, varying needs, stringent performance requirements, and integration imperatives while addressing complexity issues, project quality and stakeholder effort. The adaptive and flexible nature of the employed project delivery framework allowed for the identification of interconnected design problems, the breakdown of design tasks into manageable and interdependent sprints, and the catalysis of dynamic and efficient stakeholder interactions for improved decision-making, increased project value and collaborative processes. Parametric BIM models facilitated the robust exchange of information during iterative and incremental project development cycles. Originality/value The study introduces an unprecedented agile hybrid approach with an adaptable and integrated project delivery framework with a comprehensive real-world case study that explores various aspects of wide-range implementation. These include compliant project types, transformed stakeholder roles and responsibilities, cross-functional team building, critical uncertainty dimensions, facilitation of iterative and cyclic workflows, situated BIM use along with strategic considerations, and suitability markers. The study also offers evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations on the effective deployment of agile hybrid project delivery methods in specific AEC projects characterized by uncertainties and ongoing changes.