A behavioral framework for construction waste minimization : the case of Jordan

Alhawamdeh, M; Lee, A

Abstract

Construction waste (CW) accounts for approximately 36 percent of the total solid waste received at landfill
sites around the world and, therefore, presents a significant challenge to the sustainability of the construction industry,
the country’s economy at large, and environmental sustainability worldwide. For Jordan, this issue is pertinent since
the construction industry is still suffering from insufficient sustainability practices characterized by poor production,
sub-standard performance, and a wasteful culture. Increasing attention has been placed on addressing the role of
human factors in construction waste minimization (CWM), as the majority of the causes underlying CW are directly or
indirectly affected by the behavior of those working in the construction industry. However, understanding CWM
behavior is most challenging and complex, as adopting positive CWM behavior depends on many factors that
contribute to its success or failure. This paper describes the development of a behavioral framework (BF) that aims to
address this research gap. The Delphi technique, incorporating a series of semi-structured interviews, was chosen as
the primary research investigative method, for the discovery and building of the BF. Twelve respondents (the experts’
panel), with extensive knowledge of and experience in the Jordanian construction industry, participated in two rounds
of the Delphi study. They were able to offer a well-informed look at the current and potential status of the adoption of
CWM behavior among Jordanian contractors. The resulting BF advances a more holistic understanding of the factors
influencing the behavior of contractors toward CWM, which will support the adoption of waste minimization in
Jordanian construction projects.

Citation

Alhawamdeh, M., & Lee, A. (2021). A behavioral framework for construction waste minimization : the case of Jordan. International Journal of Environmental Sustainability, 17(2), 9-32. https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1077/CGP/v17i02/9-32

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Publication Date: Sep 22, 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 1, 2021
• Journal: The International Journal of Environmental Sustainability
• Print ISSN: 2325-1077
• Electronic ISSN: 2325-1085
• Publisher: Common Ground Research Networks
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 9-32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1077/CGP/v17i02/9-32
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1077/CGP/v17i02/9-32
• Related Public URLs: http://ijse.cgpublisher.com/
• Additional Information: Access Information : Alhawamdeh, Mahmoud, and Angela Lee. 2021. "A Behavioral Framework for Construction Waste Minimization: The Case of Jordan." The International Journal of Environmental Sustainability 17 (2): 9-32. doi:10.18848/2325-1077/CGP/v17i02/9-32. © Common Ground Research Networks, Authors, All Rights Reserved. Permissions: cgscholar.com/cg_support.; Funders : Collins Medical Trust; Projects : http://nofunder.com