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Article
Publication date: 14 September 2017

Nayani Hettige, B.A.K.S. Perera and Harshini Mallawaarachchi

The purpose of this paper is to identify the enablers and barriers to the adoption of green leasing in Sri Lanka and propose probable solutions.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the enablers and barriers to the adoption of green leasing in Sri Lanka and propose probable solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

As an in-depth investigation was required, the case study method with a qualitative approach was selected as the research methodology. A documentary review and semi-structured interviews on three selected green buildings were conducted to study their leasing processes. QSR NVivo statistical analysis software was used for the content analysis.

Findings

Enablers and barriers to the adoption of green leasing under different categories such as those related to processes, institutions and government and also to legal, economic and social factors were determined along with probable solutions identified through a comprehensive framework that was developed.

Practical implications

The findings can be used as a basis to evaluate the current leasing processes that have adopted this emerging and important approach toward the sustainable operation and management of green buildings.

Originality/value

The little attention paid to this latest concept makes it important to evaluate the adoptability of green leasing in developing countries. Hence, the determination of key enablers, barriers and solutions was the focal point of this research.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 November 2016

Harshini Mallawaarachchi, Lalith De Silva and Raufdeen Rameezdeen

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupants’ productivity improvements in green buildings in order to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupants’ productivity improvements in green buildings in order to propose probable enhancements of national green certification criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey approach was selected under quantitative phenomenon. Hence, questionnaire survey was selected as a primary data collection technique. It was linked to semi-structured interviews to validate survey results. The survey data were analysed by using nonparametric statistical analysis techniques, such as significance testing and Spearman’s correlation. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v.20 statistical analysis software was used in data analysis.

Findings

Seven factors were identified as significant factors which showed statistically significant monotonic correlation to major IEQ dimensions. Among those, air quality and acoustical partitioning factors confirmed a statistically significant weak positive monotonic correlation, whilst system control showed strongly positive monotonic correlation to occupants’ productivity in green buildings.

Practical implications

The findings can be practically implied as a basis to review the existing evaluation criteria of IEQ in national green certification system to propose probable enhancements.

Originality/value

The significant IEQ factors influencing occupants’ productivity were determined as the focal point of this research. Accordingly, new provisions were proposed to enhance the national green certification criteria.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 6 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2018

Indeewari Ranawaka and Harshini Mallawaarachchi

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the risks associated with green retrofit projects in Sri Lanka in order to develop a risk responsive framework.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the risks associated with green retrofit projects in Sri Lanka in order to develop a risk responsive framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method under the quantitative approach was selected as the research methodology as this research is required evaluating the risks associated with green retrofit projects. Both preliminary survey and the main questionnaire survey were conducted to collect the data. The survey data were evaluated and analysed by using mode value as a descriptive statistical analysis technique, and the risk rating matrix.

Findings

The overall results of risk assessment deliberated that there are ten “critical” risk factors, such as construction cost, inflation, energy saving uncertainty, warranty risk, delay in project completion, productivity and quality risks, requirement of permits and their approval, design changes, damage to structure or property and procurement delay influencing green retrofitting. Finally, a risk responsive framework was developed by proposing suitable strategies for mitigating the risks associated with green retrofitting.

Practical implications

The developed framework can be used as a basis to mitigate the risks associated with green retrofitting projects. An abundant upgrade of existing high-rise buildings into green can be reached.

Originality/value

A little attention paid on green retrofitting and the absence of proper risk management strategy for green retrofit projects in current practice have made this research a paramount need and a focal point.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 8 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2017

Harshini Mallawaarachchi, Lalith De Silva and Raufdeen Rameezdeen

The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to determine the relationship and effect of built environment on occupants’ productivity in green-certified office buildings in…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to determine the relationship and effect of built environment on occupants’ productivity in green-certified office buildings in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

Two research hypotheses were tested by approaching the survey method under the quantitative phenomenon. The questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly selected occupants in three selected green-rated office buildings in Sri Lanka. The survey data were analysed by using the Spearman correlation and ordinal logistic regression analysis techniques to model the relationship existing between the variables. The SPSS v20 software was used in data analysis.

Findings

The findings confirm the relationship between built environment and occupants’ productivity. As it further proves that, there is a significant effect of built environment on occupants’ productivity in green-certified office buildings. Thus, critical built environment factors influencing occupants’ productivity and their effect were determined.

Practical implications

The findings could be practically implied as bases to strengthen the evaluation criteria of indoor environmental quality in GREENSL® national green-rating system.

Originality/value

The evaluation of occupants’ productivity and the built environment factors has been at the focal point of research; however, most studies have focused on single aspects of the built environment. Further, no evidences were found on “which factors” can critically influence the occupants’ productivity in green buildings. The paper, therefore, seeks to fill this gap by proving the relationship between green built environment and occupants’ productivity.

Details

Facilities, vol. 35 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2019

Nimesha Sahani Jayasena, Harshini Mallawaarachchi and Lalith De Silva

Rapid changes in the environment escalate the requirement of environmental sustainability assessment within built environment. The purpose of this paper is to model the…

Abstract

Purpose

Rapid changes in the environment escalate the requirement of environmental sustainability assessment within built environment. The purpose of this paper is to model the environmental sustainability of facilities management (FM) functions in apparel industry in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review was carried out in order to identify the importance of sustainability assessment for FM, sustainable FM functions and their environmental sustainability indicators. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was carried out to determine a relative weight of the sustainable FM functions and environmental sustainability indicators through the analytical hierarchy process analysis.

Findings

Energy management was identified as the most significant FM function in terms of environmental sustainability in apparel industry with a relative performance of 49.12 per cent. Subsequently, the functions of water management (29.39 per cent), maintenance management (11.98 per cent) and waste management (9.64 per cent) obtained the second, third and fourth ranks while asset management (7.85 per cent) was the function which had the least performance score. Relative weights for the environmental sustainability indicators were also determined.

Research limitations/implications

In respect of the apparel industry, the developed model can be utilised for assessing the environmental sustainability of FM in broader term.

Originality/value

No proper mechanism was found to assess the sustainability of FM in apparel sector since very fewer research studies were focussed on achieving environmental sustainability in different industries. Hence, the assessment of environmental sustainability of FM in apparel industry is an emerging necessity in the present day, which was addressed in this research.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

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