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Article
Publication date: 21 April 2020

Key drivers for smart and sustainable practices in the built environment

Timothy O. Olawumi and Daniel W.M. Chan

The construction industry has been evolving in recent years through the adoption of smart tools such as building information modeling to reduce the complexity in the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The construction industry has been evolving in recent years through the adoption of smart tools such as building information modeling to reduce the complexity in the construction process and optimize the project's goals. This paper aims to identify and assess the key drivers for the implementation of smart sustainable practices in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Inferential and descriptive statistical techniques were employed in analyzing the data collected via an international empirical questionnaire survey deployed in soliciting the perceptions of 220 construction professionals across 21 countries. Factor analysis was used to categorize the identified key drivers into their underlying clusters for further discussion. Also, the data were analyzed based on the various groups and regions of the study's respondents.

Findings

The key drivers (KDs) are related to the technical competence of staff as well as knowledge and awareness level within the industry, issues related to organizational and project's strategy and policies, availability of financial resources and development of relevant standards and policies to aid its execution among others. A comparative analysis of the perceptions of the different respondents' groups was undertaken and discussed.

Practical implications

The analysis of the key drivers for the implementation of smart and sustainable practices in the construction industry is expected to aid the decision-making of the relevant stakeholders as well as serve as a consultation instrument for government agencies in their design of localized policies and guidelines to aid smart and sustainable urbanization. The findings revealed the gaps in the implementation of smart and sustainable practices in various climes and organization setups and provided useful and practical strategies for addressing the current hindrances during implementation.

Originality/value

The study has generated valuable insights into the significant drivers that can enhance the implementation of smart and sustainable practices across regions. It is evident that synergy among the relevant stakeholders in the built environment will help accelerate the implementation of smart sustainable practices in the construction industry. The study findings have provided profound contributions to theory and research as well as to industry practice.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27 no. 6
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-06-2019-0305
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

  • Construction industry
  • BIM
  • Drivers
  • Stakeholders
  • Sustainability
  • Smart sustainable practices

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Article
Publication date: 5 October 2019

Scenario analysis of smart, sustainable supply chain on the basis of a fuzzy cognitive map

Sajjad Shokouhyar, Neda Pahlevani and Farhang Mir Mohammad Sadeghi

This paper aims to present a smart, sustainable supply chain practices structure on the basis of the relational view.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a smart, sustainable supply chain practices structure on the basis of the relational view.

Design/methodology/approach

A method based on fuzzy cognitive map was applied to construct a relational map to introduce and implement such relational methods. Considering this relational map as a guideline, observations into particular methods and ways of applying relational methods to attain sustainable development goals across organizations has been introduced.

Findings

Primary outcomes provided a series of relational methods for the purpose of giving advice to those organizations and their suppliers for smart, sustainable supply chain. Reliance between relational methods were examined and assessed under seven meaningful groups: economic internet of things (IoT), green internet of things, social internet of things, economic supply chain, green supply chain, social supply chain and other variables.

Practical implications

This study guides managers toward an improved perception of the connection among IoT instances and sustainable supply to modeling smart, sustainable supply chain. Managers can determine the practices that need more focus along with the practices that are less relevant. Thus, this will help managers in the decision-making process and to organize their decisions by planning and calculating the relative importance and influence of smart, sustainable practices on each other and on the company’s smart, sustainable program.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first approach that promptly examines and determines the interdependencies between relational methods and constructs a relational map for the purpose to introduce and analyze smart, sustainable supply chain.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 43 no. 4
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-01-2019-0002
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

  • Sustainability
  • Supply chain management
  • Business ethics and sustainability
  • FCM
  • Economic IoT
  • Green IoT
  • Social IoT
  • Smart

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Article
Publication date: 11 January 2021

Sustainability responses to climate-smart adaptation in Africa: implication for food security among farm households in the Central Region of Ghana

Samuel Kwesi Ndzebah Dadzie, Emmanuel W. Inkoom, Selorm Akaba, Festus Annor-Frempong and James Afful

The consequences of extreme climatic events that threaten food security have created the urgent need to properly adopt climate-smart adaptation techniques to improve…

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Abstract

Purpose

The consequences of extreme climatic events that threaten food security have created the urgent need to properly adopt climate-smart adaptation techniques to improve productivity. The study examined the sustainability responses to climate-smart adaptation and the implication it has for explaining the food security situations among farm households in the Central Region of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

We estimated Heckit treatment effect model to analyse cross-sectional data collected from randomly selected farmers in the Central Region.

Findings

Analysis of farm sustainability index suggests that farmers' agricultural practices in response to climate change are lowly or moderately sustainable. We further found that while majority of the farm households are severely food insecure or food insecure with hunger, only about one-third are food insecure without hunger and the remaining few being food secure. The sustainability of farm practices is being impacted by the farmers’ choice of climate smart adaptation measures at the farm level. Consequently, the farm households' food security situation is found to be improved when sustainable farming practices are employed in the face of managing climate change effects.

Practical implications

Conclusions drawn from the study findings give rooms for policy implications that suggest responsibilities for policymakers, farmers and other stakeholders to promote CSA practices in food crop production in Ghana. These policy implications will contribute to improve crop productivity, increase incomes and thus enhance food security among farm families. Awareness campaign about benefits of CSA practices and technologies need to be strengthened among farmers in Ghana by government and NGOs that matter in promoting farm resilience to climate change. Given the important impacts of sustainable farm practices on household food security situation, policies that seek to build the adaptive capacity of farmers to climate vulnerability impacts should take into consideration the sustainability dimensions of the adaptation and mitigation measures to be advocated for use at farm levels.

Originality/value

Our paper contributes to literature knowledge on climate-smart adaptation practices effect on food security as evidenced in some recent literature. The paper makes a unique contribution by highlighting the food security implication of the sustainability impact of CSA practices, thereby exploring sustainability as an impact pathway between climate smart adaptations practices and food security in a developing country like Ghana. We approached our study aiming at making new contribution by introducing in the study implementation a quasi-experimental research design which future studies on impacts of climate smart adaptation practices can replicate.

Details

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-04-2019-0155
ISSN: 2040-0705

Keywords

  • Climate change
  • Adaptive capacity
  • Sustainability index
  • Food security
  • Ghana

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Article
Publication date: 30 October 2020

The role of sustainability in the relationship between migration and smart cities: a bibliometric review

Ali Mohamad Mouazen and Ana Beatriz Hernández-Lara

Smart cities attract efficient and profitable economic activities, contribute to the societal welfare of their citizens and foster the efficient use and conservation of…

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Abstract

Purpose

Smart cities attract efficient and profitable economic activities, contribute to the societal welfare of their citizens and foster the efficient use and conservation of natural resources. Developing smart cities has become a priority for many developed countries, but as they are preferred destinations for migrants, this raises sustainability issues. They attract people who are seeking a better quality of life, smart services and solutions, a better environment and business activities. The purpose of this paper is to review the state of the art on the relationship between smart cities and migration, with a view to determining sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric review and text mining analyses were conducted on publications between 2000 and 2019.

Findings

The results determined the main parameters of this research topic in terms of its growth, top journals and articles. The role of sustainability in the relationship between smart cities and migration is also identified, highlighting the special interest of its social dimension.

Originality/value

A bibliometric approach has not been used previously to investigate the link between smart cities and migration. However, given the current relevance of both phenomena, their emergence and growth, this approach is appropriate in determining the state of the art and its main descriptors, with special emphasis on the sustainability implications.

Details

Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-04-2020-0051
ISSN: 2398-5038

Keywords

  • Migration

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Article
Publication date: 9 October 2020

Driving sustainable construction development through post-contract key performance indicators and drivers

Terence Y.M. Lam

This research examines what key performance indicators (KPIs) and drivers should be applied at the post-contract phase of construction development to monitor and drive…

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Abstract

Purpose

This research examines what key performance indicators (KPIs) and drivers should be applied at the post-contract phase of construction development to monitor and drive project outcomes in sustainable design and construction. It supplements the previous research which focuses on pre-contract sustainable procurement of competent professionals. Consequently, optimal sustainability can be achieved for the overall sustainable development process.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of empirical work was conducted to consolidate the holistic aspects of sustainability that should be considered for design and construction and their project outcome KPI measures. Based on a country-wide questionnaire survey of the university estate sector in the UK, a quantitative hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to identify the performance drivers for those KPIs.

Findings

The empirical work review demonstrates that holistic sustainability for development can be measured by project outcome KPIs: economic sustainability by cost KPIs; functional, social and environmental sustainability by quality KPIs. The quantitative hierarchical regression analysis confirmed that these four aspects of sustainability could be significantly driven by task performance and contextual performance drivers, as supported by the job performance theory.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation was undertaken within the context of university estates forming a unique public sector in the UK. The findings form a baseline upon which further research can be conducted in other organisations in the wider public and private sectors. Ultimately, holistic sustainability can be fully driven by construction professionals to achieve government and corporate construction strategy for the benefits of sustainable built environment.

Practical implications

The findings inform project managers and construction professionals that they should apply clear, measurable cost and quality KPIs and focus on significant performance drivers in tandem to drive holistic sustainability for design and construction. Project staff should have a high commitment, technical expertise and experience, execute the project with proper design and management methods and provide a high level of trust and collaboration to the client. Clients, designers and contractors are key stakeholders in the development process so they should be consulted for forming the contract KPIs to monitor the sustainable project outcomes.

Social implications

The generalised results confirm that task and contextual performance drivers can be applied as project management tools for managing the professional team members to achieve sustainability deliverables in terms of KPIs. Such findings will enhance the government or corporate construction strategy for managing and achieving holistic sustainability for construction developments.

Originality/value

This research identifies post-contract performance monitoring measures (cost and quality KPIs as well as task and contextual performance drivers) that can be adopted for driving sustainable design and construction for sustainable development.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-07-2020-0111
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

  • Construction development
  • Holistic sustainability
  • Design and construction
  • Post-contract monitoring
  • KPIs
  • Performance drivers

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Article
Publication date: 3 December 2019

Examining the impact of institutional pressures and green supply chain management practices on firm performance

Waqar Ahmed, Arsalan Najmi and Farhana Khan

With the challenge of ecological business sustainability, concepts like green design, eco-friendly products, sustainable technologies and efficient processes have…

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Abstract

Purpose

With the challenge of ecological business sustainability, concepts like green design, eco-friendly products, sustainable technologies and efficient processes have compelled the organizations to adopt change. The purpose of this paper is to focus on understanding the impact of green supply chain (GSC) management practices and institutional pressures on economic and environmental performances of organizations in an unstable developing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the supply chain specialists working in manufacturing firms through a questionnaire. Valid data of 101 respondents were used for analyzing the relationship among the constructs with the help of structural equation modeling.

Findings

The result of this study reveals that internal GSC practices and institutional pressure have a negative insignificant impact on economic performance, whereas all the constructs are the significant contributors toward improving environmental performance.

Practical implications

This study will help the supply chain decision makers to make a strategy that is beneficial for improving both economic and environmental dimensions of the performance of a firm.

Originality/value

An environmental management study under a rapidly changing scenario is always helpful to understand the behavior and its impact. This study is very useful and need of a time in the context of any developing country facing an economic and environmental crisis.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-06-2019-0115
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

  • Environmental performance
  • Institutional pressures
  • Economic performance
  • GSCM practices

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Book part
Publication date: 23 October 2020

Generation Z in the United Arab Emirates: A Smart-Tech-Driven iGeneration

Nisreen Ameen and Amitabh Anand

Generation Z is deemed to be digital native and has been attracting the attention of many companies when developing digital strategies to understand their consumption…

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Abstract

Generation Z is deemed to be digital native and has been attracting the attention of many companies when developing digital strategies to understand their consumption behaviour and their expectations in the workplace. Although research is progressing in relation to understanding Generation Z’s attributes, very little is known in the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where a total of 1.4 million individuals who are part of this generation are located. This chapter aims to provide an overview of Generation Z in the UAE, their needs, characteristics, and preferences to enable companies to offer them targeted products and services and a suitable workplace which in turn will positively impact organisational performance. The findings suggest that Generation Z in the UAE has five main characteristics. They are (1) digital natives; (2) highly influenced by social influencers; (3) risk averse; (4) emotionally mature; and (5) highly involved in political debates. Accordingly, we outline directions for future research on Generation Z consumers and managerial implications for employers, retailers, and shopping malls operating in the UAE.

Details

The New Generation Z in Asia: Dynamics, Differences, Digitalisation
Type: Book
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-220-820201018
ISBN: 978-1-80043-221-5

Keywords

  • Generation Z
  • consumption
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Middle East
  • smart technology
  • artificial intelligence
  • political debates
  • risk aversion

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Article
Publication date: 4 June 2020

A performance evaluation framework for construction and demolition waste management: stakeholder perspectives

Soo Yong Kim, Minh V. Nguyen and Van Truong Luu

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to develop a performance evaluation framework for construction and demolition waste management (CDWM); second, to investigate…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to develop a performance evaluation framework for construction and demolition waste management (CDWM); second, to investigate feasible and effective strategies to improve the CDWM performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature highlighted a lack of comprehensive research to evaluate CDWM performance of key project stakeholders, like owners, contractors and consultants. After the identification of 22 performance variables through a pilot study, a first questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the views of respondents toward CDWM performance. The 132 responses were analyzed using factor analysis to determine specific CDWM performance factors, which formed a conceptual performance evaluation framework of CDWM. Furthermore, a practical index (PI) was proposed to integrate the feasibility and effectiveness of CDWM strategies. The values of PI were employed to prioritize CDWM strategies from data collected in a second questionnaire survey.

Findings

The validated results from factor analysis revealed that the conceptual performance evaluation framework of CDWM consists of six factors; and the attitude toward CDWM emerged as the foremost critical factor. The prioritization of PI values indicated that raising CDWM awareness among construction stakeholders was the most feasible and effective strategy for CDWM.

Originality/value

This CDWM performance evaluation framework is one of the first to holistically evaluate CDWM from key stakeholder perspectives. In addition, the PI firstly enables quantitative integration of the feasibility and effectiveness of CDWM strategies.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27 no. 10
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-12-2019-0683
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

  • Construction and demolition waste management (CDWM)
  • Performance evaluation framework
  • Waste management strategy

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Article
Publication date: 21 May 2018

Agro-pastoralists’ determinants of adaptation to climate change

Keneilwe Ruth Kgosikoma, Phatsimo Cotildah Lekota and Olaotswe Ernest Kgosikoma

The purpose of this study is to analyze smallholder farmers’ perceptions on climate change and its stressors, their adaptation strategies and factors that influence their…

Open Access
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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze smallholder farmers’ perceptions on climate change and its stressors, their adaptation strategies and factors that influence their adaptation to climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in Kweneng district, located in the south eastern part of Botswana. Multi-stage sampling was used to obtain a representative sample from three sub-districts in the district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data by using face-to-face interviews.

Findings

Majority of farmers perceived an increase in mean annual temperature and the number of hot days and a decrease in mean annual rainfall and the number of rainfall days over the past 10 years as indicators of climate change. The prominent adaptation strategies included changes in planting dates for crops and supplementary feeding for livestock. The logistic regression results show that gender, age, household size, poverty, shortage of land, mixed farming and knowledge about climate change significantly influence adaptation.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that climate change policy should target agricultural diversification at the household level and dissemination of information on climate change and adaptation strategies.

Originality/value

Policy recommendations can be suggested: government climate change interventions should target agricultural diversification at the household level, and this study provides insights on what influences adaptation strategies and what should be targeted to build resilience in the agricultural sector.

Details

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-02-2017-0039
ISSN: 1756-8692

Keywords

  • Perceptions
  • Climate change
  • Resilience
  • Adaptation
  • Agricultural diversification
  • Agro-pastoralists

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Article
Publication date: 14 July 2020

Studying green consumer behavior through multiple lenses in a developing country

Aradhana Vikas Gandhi

The study aims to explore the parameters that affect the purchase behavior of green consumers.

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Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to explore the parameters that affect the purchase behavior of green consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methodology concurrent study was adopted involving questionnaire-based empirical study along with a qualitative study to capture the lived experiences of the respondents. Inferences were drawn to understand green consumer behavior in a holistic way.

Findings

While conducting in-depth interviews, many recurring themes emerged, such as environmentally friendly, health-conscious, price, government initiatives, youngsters' inclination, general awareness, family influence/traditions, quality, advertisement and social concern. A concurrent quantitative study was conducted, which established altruism, environmental awareness and social factor and influence as significant parameters, which had an impact on green consumer behavior.

Practical implications

While designing green products, this study will enable marketers to innovate their products and services based on the intricate insights that have come out of the study.

Originality/value

The study seeks to give deep insights into green consumer behavior that may help academics and marketers to understand the phenomenon better.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-01-2019-0011
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

  • Green consumer behavior
  • Mixed method study
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Health-conscious
  • Price
  • Government initiatives
  • Youngsters' inclination
  • General awareness
  • Family influence/traditions
  • Quality
  • Social influence and factor
  • Altruism
  • Transparency and fairness

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