Purpose Railway infrastructure development is a complex socio-technical system with significant implications for sustainable development. Past studies often analyse implementation barriers separately, ignoring their interconnectedness. This reductionist view misses the intricate nature of rail projects, which require a holistic approach. Therefore, this study uses a socio-technical systems (STS) lens to examine these barriers' systemic interdependencies, shifting from fragmented views to understanding the dynamic friction between social and technical factors. Design/methodology/approach To ensure rigorous systemic validation beyond traditional linear approaches, this study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design grounded in the context of a single-case project (MRT Putrajaya Line). First, quantitative data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and correlation analysis to validate constructs and test relationships. Subsequently, qualitative data from group model building were modelled using causal loop diagrams (CLD) to empirically map the dynamic feedback mechanisms driving the ecosystem. Findings The EFA confirmed barriers as two constructs: “Strategic-Governance” and “Technical-Operation”, supporting the social-technical system distinction. Correlation analysis shows “Strategic-operational decoupling”, where high-level policies do not translate into ground-level action. The CLD reveals systemic lock-in, in which four loops (governance, economic, capability and global feedback) reinforce one another, maintaining unsustainable practices and eroding technical skills. Originality/value This study uses a dynamic approach to barrier identification, applying STS theory in a developing country. It introduces the Hierarchy of Intervention, showing social subsystem barriers as upstream constraints affecting technical subsystems. The findings indicate the sector suffers from governance issues, not engineering gaps, needing regulatory intervention to fix the feedback loop.

It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Samarakoon W. and Asmone A.S. (2025), “Coupling maintainability indicators with reliability centred maintenance for international airport facilities in Sri Lanka”, Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print, https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-10-2024-0255, contained an error in the manuscript related to figure citation and placement.In the published article, Figure 5 was incorrectly cited in place of Figure 4c and in addition, Figure 5 has been repositioned to a more appropriate location in the article, following its first correct mention, which occurs towards the end of Section 5.2.The publisher apologises for this error and any inconvenience it may have caused to readers and authors.

Purpose Bridge asset managers face challenges in maintaining the efficiency of bridge networks under limited budgets. Although several models have been developed around the world to prioritize bridges for maintenance, there are still limited studies investigating the factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization, especially in developing countries. This study aims to address this gap by identifying the factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization in Iraq. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to identify the factors. Six experts from the Iraqi Public Authority for Roads and Bridges (PARB) refined the list to 32 factors via semi-structured interviews. A questionnaire survey was then carried out. In total, 46 responses were received and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential methods. Descriptive analysis involved computing the mean values, while the inferential analysis employed the one-sample t-test and one-way ANOVA. Findings According to the survey findings, the top five significant factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization in Iraq were bridge condition, traffic volume, human-related risk, bridge location, and maintenance cost. In addition, the result indicated that all experts from different parties (i.e. clients, consultants and contractors) had a good consensus on the relative importance of all priority factors. Originality/value Literature shows a lack of studies investigating the factors influencing bridge maintenance prioritization (especially in Iraq). This study represents the first attempt to fill this gap by identifying technical, functional, socioeconomic and environmental factors influencing prioritization in Iraq. This study extends the existing body of knowledge and practice and supports transportation departments in making informed investment decisions under limited budgets.

Purpose Economic sustainability has been an underexplored aspect of sustainability. Identifying how the construction industry assesses its economic performance for sustainability is crucial as it plays a major role in the development of a country. This study examined the perspectives of various stakeholders regarding the key economic performance indicators for assessing the economic sustainability of construction projects. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed design approach by first conducting a quantitative survey and proceeding to validate the findings by the qualitative approach. 167 responses were gathered from the survey of key construction stakeholders such as contractors, clients, academics and professionals working in government. The quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics whilst the qualitative data (obtained from six key stakeholders) were analyzed thematically and used to augment the quantitative findings. Findings All nine economic sustainability indicators presented to respondents were perceived and ranked as key indicators of economic performance of construction projects. However, value engineering considerations, project cost performance and profitability were the three highly ranked indicators. Additionally, the study found that within the various stakeholder groups, there were significant differences in the importance attributed to the indicators. Originality/value This study focuses on economic sustainability indicators within the scope of a developing country. It is one of the few studies on economic sustainability that seeks to identify the key indicators for assessing economic sustainability performance of construction projects.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify, prioritize and develop a hierarchical structure of critical success factors (CSFs) for stakeholder management in mega construction projects, along with examining their interconnections. Design/methodology/approach This study combines analytic hierarchy process (AHP), interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and quadrant analysis to analyze 37 CSFs for mega construction projects. Data collection through literature review and pilot studies identified the factors. An AHP survey with 60 respondents from 16 projects over 75% complete prioritized the factors, while an ISM survey with 50 respondents examined their interconnections. Purposive sampling was employed, and the data were analyzed using Excel for AHP and ISM software for ISM analysis. Quadrant analysis classified the results into actionable categories. Findings The study identified key CSFs related to stakeholder management for mega construction projects, such as timely client decision-making, risk management and client project knowledge. Strong interrelationships were found between design complexity, project manager experience, leadership and contractor experience, all of which are crucial for aligning stakeholder interests and ensuring successful project outcomes. The quadrant analysis highlighted contractor experience, effective cost management and robust risk identification as the most critical factors influencing project success. Practical implications By understanding the most crucial CSFs and how they relate to each other, stakeholders can prioritize key actions, leading to more effective decision-making and improved project outcomes. Originality/value The findings provide actionable insights for prioritizing CSFs and improving stakeholder management, offering specific measures for each quadrant to enhance MCP success.

Purpose This research investigated the perceptions of Brunei construction industry stakeholders regarding end-of-life (EOL) waste management supported by circular economy principles and integration of building information modelling (BIM). Design/methodology/approach A survey collected 132 responses. Cronbach’s alpha examined the reliability of the data. Normality tests suggested parametric analysis. The one-sample t-test examined the consistency of sample means with population means, ANOVA tested agreement of various respondent groups on importance levels of individual factors. Factor analysis surfaced a few broad components. Findings The study identified 18 significant factors. While relatively high awareness of EOL waste management is observed, adoption remains low. The most agreed-upon factors were the lack of information/guidance and practicing 3R methods (i.e. reduce, reuse and recycle) and modern methods of construction (MMC). Clients predominantly acknowledged the benefits of the deconstruction process and its economic advantages, while consultants and contractors were more optimistic towards utilising MMC and BIM. Five interrelated broad components emerged from factor analysis exercise: cost reductions, technological influence, standardisation, impact of EOL wastes and conservation of resources, suggesting a consolidated approach of actions. Overall results indicate that existing regulations are ineffective, requiring devising and/or providing more training, awareness generation and practitioner supportive guidance and policy. Originality/value Studies on EOL waste management are limited, particularly in Brunei. Despite existing sustainability policies, specific guidelines for EOL waste management are lacking. This pioneering study triggers enhanced industry awareness, informs policymakers and lays the groundwork for further research, marking it as the first of its kind in Brunei.

Purpose Optimising a building’s design to maximise its thermal efficiency can be a complicated and time-consuming task. Furthermore, designers may not have the technical capability to devise an optimisation algorithm for each project. This paper proposes a practical comprehensive framework to provide designers with quantified information during a house’s construction to maximise its energy-saving potential. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the developed framework was applied to a real-life case study to demonstrate its practicality. The architectural plan of a case project under construction in Sydney, Australia, was modelled in Autodesk Revit software. The case project was selected, as it was deemed a common new residential structure in Sydney. Based on existing literature and specifications of the building, 15 design elements with significant impacts on energy consumption were optimised using Building Energy Optimisation software to yield the lowest thermal load. The optimised solutions were then simulated using the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme to validate their thermal performance. Findings The experimentation results indicate that the methodology can provide different sets of solutions, showing thermal load reductions between 25.59% and 32.64% across several different design scenarios. Widespread adoption of this methodology may foster the creation of more thermal-efficient residential building designs. Originality/value The proposed framework provides a user-centric method for designers to make informed decisions to increase the thermal efficiency of residential buildings. Decoupling the optimisation and energy rating software provides a degree of validation. Additionally, local energy rating systems ensure location-based applicability. Energy-efficient design ultimately helps homeowners reduce energy costs and their environmental footprint.

Purpose Early contractor involvement (ECI) has been heavily investigated in the context of large infrastructure projects. While there is a growing tendency among Norwegian infrastructure projects to use ECI, there is little evidence regarding the effects of ECI on small projects. This study aims to investigate the potential benefits and challenges of ECI in a small construction project in Norway. Design/methodology/approach The research design is based on an embedded case study approach with longitudinal evaluation. The empirical data for this research comes from semi-structured interviews, survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and document analysis. Findings The results show that ECI can benefit small projects requiring out-of-the-box thinking. The strongest arguments favoring ECI are that it promotes innovation, gives better risk adaptability, and allows participation from all client organization levels. In the case project, the onboarding of the operators was found to be especially helpful, which resulted in a more operationally optimized solution. The main challenges with using ECI for the case project were the lack of a standardized contract format, additional stress at the operational level and unfamiliarity with the overall process. Originality/value This study provides new insights into the effects of ECI and adds to the debate regarding whether ECI can be a viable option for small construction projects in the future. The findings can give practitioners hints on optimizing ECI usage in small projects and avoiding potential pitfalls.

Purpose Design and build (DB) and traditional contracting (TC) are the two dominant procurement methods used in the UK. Despite widespread use, there is a lack of research into the benefits and limitations of DB when applied to social housing projects. This research investigates whether DB is more appropriate for social housing than TC in the current housing crisis and provides guidance upon its implementation. Design/methodology/approach Eight expert interviews and six multiple-case studies were conducted to collect empirical evidence to validate the hypotheses, with thematic analysis for analysing qualitative data. Findings DB is now the predominant procurement route for new-build social housing projects. Practitioners suggest DB suits new builds rather than complex refurbishment, which generate multiple variations and cost unpredictability. A more sophisticated form of DB, novated DB, allows for the implementation of two-stage tendering for project delivery which provides cost, time and quality certainty when compared with TC. Research limitations/implications This research is based upon empirical work conducted in the West Midlands. Further research should be undertaken nationwide so that results can represent the whole UK. Practical implications Novated DB implemented with two-stage tendering should be adopted for social housing production but not for complex refurbishment. Social implications Housing associations should review their current procurement policies to decide whether a form of novated DB should be adopted to expedite housing supply. Originality/value Novated DB implemented through a two-stage tendering is a preferred option to tackle the housing crisis due to its cost, time and quality certainty in new builds.

PurposeThe initiative to develop integrated information systems (IIS) for the construction industry has been a strategic focus in various countries. However, the absence of a framework to plan, develop and manage IS has led to various challenges and prevented these IIS from achieving their objectives. The purpose of this paper is to propose the conceptual framework of IIS for the Indonesian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a questionnaire survey and then validated through the focus group discussion conducted by 14 experts whom we selected rigorously. The content and descriptive analyses were adopted to determine the level of importance and concerns for each component and factor expressed by respondents.FindingsThe conceptual framework of IIS for the Indonesian construction industry consists of five components: business environment, organization environment, information systems (IS) integration, alignment of IS with business and impact on organization or industry. By integrating business and organization environments, IS integration and alignments with business and impact, the framework offers a comprehensive systems approach to IS integration that is both practical and theoretically sound.Originality/valueThe paper offers a perspective on IIS in developing countries, focusing on Indonesia. This study provides valuable insights for construction practitioners to understand the implications of IS integration and serves as a tool to design and develop more effective information technology (IT) solutions. Additionally, it aids governmental bodies in formulating policies to support the Integrated Construction Services Information System (ICSIS) program to realize the Indonesian One Data Initiative (IODI).