Purpose This study aims to explore the combined adoption of Blockchain and Digital Twin (DT) technologies in the construction industry, addressing a notable research gap where these technologies have primarily been studied in isolation. This study aims to identify and analyze the key factors influencing joint adoption, by capturing their intricate relationships under an integrated environment. Design/methodology/approach A systematic research methodology is adopted, which includes a systematic literature review to identify preliminary influencing factors. Subsequently, a fuzzy DEMATEL approach is used to model the interrelationships among 14 identified factors across financial, technological, design, regulatory and communication dimensions. Cause–effect diagrams are developed to understand the underlying structure of influence, followed by the compilation of strategies. Findings The analysis reveals 14 critical factors impacting the integrated use of Blockchain and DT technologies, with several sub-factors exhibiting strong cause-and-effect relationships. This study highlights the importance of technological readiness, regulatory clarity, financial feasibility and inter-organizational collaboration in successful adoption. The framework developed assists stakeholders in overcoming key challenges and enables efficient resource allocation for digital transformation initiatives. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by its reliance on literature-derived factors and expert-based fuzzy DEMATEL evaluations, which may introduce subjectivity. However, the results of this study provide a structured and actionable framework that assists policymakers, industry practitioners and project managers in prioritizing key factors, mitigating adoption barriers and formulating targeted strategies to accelerate digital transformation across the construction sector. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is among the first to systematically examine the interplay between Blockchain and DT technologies in the construction sector using a fuzzy DEMATEL approach. Bridging a significant research gap provides novel insights and a practical framework that supports industry stakeholders in embracing digital solutions more effectively and sustainably.

Purpose This study aims to examine the interplay between infrastructure development and environmental protection, focusing on how governmental regulations shape contractor behavior and exploring policy mechanisms that reconcile economic and ecological objectives. Design/methodology/approach An integrated framework combining evolutionary game theory and system dynamics simulation models the interactions between contractors and regulatory agencies. Computational experiments assess the effects of penalties and public reporting systems on behavioral stability. Findings Analysis reveals three significant outcomes: (1) Pure strategy solutions fail to achieve evolutionary stability regardless of parameter configurations; (2) Mixed strategy equilibria demonstrate conditional stability, particularly when public reporting systems are operational; (3) While both financial penalties and public disclosure influence short-term behavior modification, only robust public monitoring systems generate sustainable compliance patterns over extended periods. Research limitations/implications The findings deepen understanding of how government–contractor interactions shape sustainable infrastructure development, emphasizing the pivotal role of regulatory design and behavioral adaptation in achieving enduring environmental and economic balance. Practical implications Policymakers should prioritize public reporting and strengthen monitoring systems to align contractor incentives with ecological goals. Combining penalty mechanisms with transparent oversight offers a coherent and lasting approach to advancing green construction and maintaining regulatory compliance. Originality/value This study proposes a novel framework integrating evolutionary game theory with system dynamics, rarely applied in infrastructure governance. It captures dynamic feedback between contractors and regulators and shows that transparency mechanisms outperform punitive measures in sustaining compliance, offering clear guidance for policy optimization.

Purpose Owner involvement in quality management is essential to guaranteeing construction quality. However, what drives project owners’ adoption of quality management behavior remains unclear, which is not conducive to effective construction quality management. This study aims to explore the determinants of owners’ quality management behavior. Design/methodology/approach The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to underpin the development of a hypothetical model that encapsulated the potential factors influencing owners’ quality management behavior. Practitioners’ perceptions were gathered through a questionnaire survey, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to test the conceptual model. Findings The results indicated that project constraints and behavioral intention directly influenced owners’ quality management behavior; moreover, behavioral intention was affected by perceived behavioral control. However, governmental supervision was not a determinant of owners’ quality management behavior adoption. Research limitations/implications The study is subject to limited contextual factors and region-specific investigation, which may hinder a comprehensive understanding of quality management behavior. Future research should incorporate a broader range of influencing factors (e.g. organizational culture and regulatory environments), and conduct a comparative study in other countries. Originality/value To bridge the gap on the determinants of quality management behavior, this exploratory study developed a novel conceptual model based on the TPB. The extended TPB model serves as an instrument for deciphering the decision-making mechanisms of owners’ quality management behavior and informs the development of targeted strategies for effective quality management tailored to project owners.

Purpose Adopting the metaverse in construction has significant potential for digitalizing this sector, integrating physical and digital reality. However, several complex and interconnected barriers hinder its adoption. This paper aims to examine these interrelationships to promote the metaverse adoption in construction. Design/methodology/approach A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided literature review was conducted to identify existing barriers to metaverse adoption, followed by the employment of the fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method to analyze the interrelationships among the identified barriers. Findings The analysis revealed a hierarchical structure of barriers, comprising five primary and 17 secondary barriers. Among them, the strongest causal main barriers were political barriers (MB1), particularly the “Lack of standardization policies”, and cultural barriers (MB5), with “Internal cultural conflict” emerging as the most critical sub-barriers. Practical implications The findings provide several practical guidelines for industry practitioners by pinpointing the most causal barriers hindering the adoption of metaverse technologies in construction. Originality/value Unlike previous studies that treated adoption barriers in isolation, this study systematically explores their interdependencies for the first time, providing advanced understandings and supporting strategic decision-making for the integration of the metaverse in construction.

Emerald Publishing is committed to the realization of a research and publishing environment built upon transparency, accessibility, and integrity.Accordingly, we have signed the Declaration to #DefendResearch, which aligns with our core values and long-standing mission to contribute to positive change in research and society more broadly. Support for academic freedomDuring this time of geopolitical instability, research and higher education face unprecedented challenges.In the United States, recent executive orders are disrupting research, education, and library programs, removing federally funded initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as green energy, climate, health, and other research domains.These measures have led to the termination of critical research grants and created uncertainty for researchers, faculty, librarians, and others who carry out and rely upon the benefits of research itself.#DefendResearch takes a stand against the defunding and censorship of academic research, advocating for the free exchange of ideas and the safeguarding of scholarly work from undue restrictions.This resonates deeply with our commitments to support authors in disseminating their work without fear of suppression.

Purpose Workers are susceptible to high accident rates because of the nature of work in the construction sector. To improve the work environment, there have been calls for adopting digital technologies (DTs) in health and safety (H&S) management. However, the response and readiness to adopt these technologies in various countries are unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the UK construction industry’s response to adopt DTs for H&S management. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach was adopted to gather the required evidence to achieve the research aim. In all, 20 UK-based construction professionals with 5–33 years of experience were purposively selected from the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and interviewed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings This study’s findings revealed that the response of the UK construction professionals to the use of DTs for H&S management is that of resistance to new technologies, low knowledge and readiness in the workforce, varying receptiveness (because of factors like workers’ age and size of company, concerns about reliability and data security, high implementation costs and fears about job security) and economic pressures, which are potential drivers of innovation. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first qualitative studies to empirically explore the perspective of key stakeholders in the UK on the use of DT in H&S management. This study contributes to the future adoption of DT in H&S management in the UK.

Purpose Although there are studies analyzing barriers related to new technological concepts, it turns out that there are only a few studies on barriers to machine learning (ML) applications, and none of them consider the implications for smart logistics. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to reveal and analyze the barriers to ML applications in smart logistics from both industry and academic perspectives. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this aim, first, various barriers to smart logistics activities based on the Industry 4.0 perspective are identified. Later, the relative importance of these barriers critical to the success of smart logistics activities is determined. Finally, the interval-valued fuzzy (IVF) DEMATEL method is used to analyze the cause-and-effect relationship between each barrier based on industry and academic perspective. Findings Eleven barriers related to ML applications in smart logistics were evaluated by seven experts who are working in different positions. Results show that, the most crucial cause-and-effect barriers are integration and connection problems with value chain/network systems (B6), requirements of adapting new infrastructures (B11) and lack of transparency, safety and security (B3). Originality/value There is no study about determining barriers with merging smart logistics activities with the Industry 4.0 perspective. It is expected that the results of this study will contribute to the use of ML in the logistics sector by revealing significant concepts to which businesses should pay attention to prevent these barriers and by suggesting practical solutions to these problems.

Purpose While operational carbon (OC) emission reduction strategies have received substantial attention in past literature, very few studies have focused on embodied carbon (EC) emission reduction in the construction industry. Therefore, this study aims at undertaking a scientometric review of strategies to mitigate EC emissions in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Scopus search engine was used to search for articles. VOSViewer software was used for scientometric analysis using science mapping approach. Using a total of 151 documents, keywords, authors, papers and their sources were analysed. Furthermore, scientometric analysis was undertaken comprising co-occurrence of keywords, documents source analysis and author co-citation analysis. Findings The significant strategies identified to mitigate EC emissions were: offsite manufacturing/use of prefabricated elements, decarbonisation of energy grid, enhanced policies and regulations by governments, construction sector policies and regulations, guidelines for increased use of low EC materials and reuse and recovery of EC construction materials. Practical implications This study identifies practical strategies that contribute to reduction of EC emissions. Originality/value This study is significant and contributes to the construction industry’s agenda to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Purpose This study aims to explore the influence of construction project manager competencies on team performance, using structural equation modeling (SEM) within the framework of social information processing theory. It investigates the multidimensional nature of project manager competencies and their impact on team processes and outcomes. Additionally, the study examines the mediating role of team processes in the relationship between competencies and team performance. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on data collected from 483 construction professionals in China, this study uses SEM to analyze the relationships among project manager competencies, team processes and team performance. Findings The results demonstrate a significant and positive effect of competencies on team performance. Specifically, task-related competencies directly contribute to performance, while people-related competencies enhance leader-member relations, and self-related competencies exert a gradual, cumulative influence. Moreover, the research confirms a three-factor competency structure and elucidates the nuanced mediating roles of team learning, monitoring and climate in the competency-performance relationship, shedding light on how specific competencies affect different stages of team development. Originality/value This study contributes to project management literature by applying social information processing theory to elucidate how project managers influence team cognition through competencies. From a practical standpoint, it advocates for a competency-based approach to project manager selection and training, aiming to enhance team performance. Overall, this research advances the understanding of the intricate interplay between project manager competencies and team performance, using SEM and a theoretical perspective rooted in social information processing theory.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of active back-support exoskeletons on muscle activity and range of motion during carpentry tasks, focusing on addressing back disorders in the construction sector. The purpose is to understand how exoskeletons can serve as ergonomic solutions in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Sixteen participants engaged in simulated carpentry framing tasks under “no-exoskeleton” and “active-exoskeleton”. The study measured muscle activity and range of motion during tasks such as measuring, assembly, moving, lifting, installing and nailing. This experimental design was chosen to assess the effectiveness of the exoskeleton in different carpentry scenarios. Findings The results indicate that the active back-support exoskeleton reduced the back’s range of motion by 3%–26% during various tasks, suggesting its impact on movement limitations. Additionally, the exoskeleton led to reduced muscle activity in most muscles, with task-specific variations. There was an increase in muscle activity by 1–35%, during measuring and assembly tasks, revealing nuanced effects. Research limitations/implications The findings may be task-specific, however, the absence of a consistent correlation between muscle activity and range of motion suggests potential complexities that warrant further investigation. Originality/value This research contributes to the understanding of exoskeletons in construction, emphasizing that task-specific designs are crucial for addressing unique work requirements. The study provides valuable data on the diverse effects of exoskeletons in different carpentry tasks.