Assessment of barriers to the adoption of sustainable building materials (SBM) in the construction industry of a developing country

Abstract

PurposeSustainable/Green building materials (SBMs/GBMs) offer a wide range of benefits which cut across the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability. The incorporation of these materials in construction projects in most developing countries is still low owing to some factors. This study assessed the major barriers to the incorporation of SBMs in the delivery of construction projects in developing countries, with Nigeria as a case in point.Design/methodology/approachThe well-structured quantitative questionnaire was used to gather data from the key players in the construction industry, using the snowball sampling method and electronic means of questionnaire administration. Frequencies, percentile, relative importance index, Kruskal–Wallis H test, Kendall's coefficient of concordance and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the gathered data.FindingsThe study revealed that the major constructs of barriers to SBM adoption in construction projects are: (1) resistance and information barriers (Eigenvalues = 5.237; % of V = 23.806), (2) regulation and funding of R&D (Eigenvalues = 2.741; % of V = 12.457), (3) cost and market barriers (Eigenvalues = 2.223; % of V = 10.105), (4) government incentive and suppliers' availability (Eigenvalues = 1.728; % of V = 7.852) and (5) GB experts and labour barriers (Eigenvalues = 1.307; % of V = 5.942).Originality/valueThis study assessed the view of construction experts in the five states of the south-eastern geo-political zone of Nigeria, particularly as regards the barriers to the incorporation of sustainable building materials in construction projects in the region.

Appraising alternative building technologies adoption in low-cost housing provision to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11

“…Refer to Table 4 for details. Results align with Eze et al (2023) and recommended that stakeholders, including housing developers and end-users should accept innovative changes, new mechanisms and building materials in the delivery of building projects. Therefore, reducing the reluctance to new mechanisms and increasing awareness and information concerning the advantages of ABT will assist in overcoming the resistance.…”

“….." Findings agree that proffering practical measures to mitigate barriers to ABT adoption in LCH provision implies enhancing achieving SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) (majority). Besides this study's qualitative approach to unravelling the encumbrances and proffer measures emerging from key stakeholders in the field, this is one gap that preceding studies, including Amuda-Yusuf et al (2020) and Eze et al (2023), which attempted to address the barriers to ABT adoption left unfilled.…”

“…Amuda-Yusuf et al (2020) identified the absence of institutions to formulate policies and programmes and set guidelines, inadequate information about ABT products and highperformance building systems, and low awareness regarding sustainability problems as the top barriers to ABT adoption. Eze et al (2023) found sustainable materials and labour, government incentive and suppliers' availability, cost and market hindrances, regulation and funding of R&D, and resistance and information barriers as the key variables of barriers to sustainable materials adoption in projects.…”

Mobilising big data analytics capabilities to improve performance of tourism supply chains: the moderating role of dynamic capabilities

“…The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) webpage was accessed to search for links between tourism establishments operating in a particular sector to collect the contacts for this paper. By following snowball sampling (Eze et al , 2023; Rahi, 2017), the research team used their accounts to invite tourism professionals to participate and asked them to further distribute the questionnaire to their friends in the tourism sector. The research rationale, definitions of the main terms and response anonymity assurance are contained in the cover letter, which comprises definitions of BDAC, DC and TSC performance.…”

“…The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) webpage was accessed to search for links between tourism establishments operating in a particular sector to collect the contacts for this paper. By following snowball sampling (Eze et al, 2023;Rahi, 2017), the research team used their accounts to invite tourism professionals to participate and asked them to further…”