Thesis and Research Data Repository Leeds Beckett University
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MOTIVATING CONTRACTORS’ BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE TOWARDS REDUCED CONSTRUCTION CARBON FOOTPRINT
No full textThe construction industry has been noted to be impervious to change. Over time, contractors have been found to be slow in implementing strategies to reduce carbon during construction projects. Hence, it is imperative to unearth factors that could be contributing to such sluggishness as well as those capable of motivating and promoting the carbon reduction behaviour of contractors. This study, therefore, aims to achieve this. To attain this, a comprehensive literature review and survey amongst construction professionals with carbon reduction experience in the UK was conducted. The data collected were analysed by utilising numerous quantitative analysis techniques.
The research findings suggest several drivers, barriers and KPIs could influence contractors’ behaviour in reducing construction carbon. The drivers include carbon literacy, motivation and incentives, procurement and integration, and cost and profitability. The barriers are resources and prioritisation, policy and standards, risk and commitment, and awareness and complexity. The carbon KPIs resulting from the study include those related to transportation and construction-installation stages of the construction process. The transportation stage KPIs are personnel and location, resource management, and percentage of renewables and the construction-installation stage KPIs include waste, services, operations, product, construction method and machinery, renewable energy, and material. In addition, the contractors’ carbon reduction behaviours found in this study are consummate and pragmatic behaviours.
Furthermore, this research produced three structural pathway models illustrating the influence of the drivers, barriers and KPIs on the carbon reduction behaviours of contractors, thereby, extending the construction process decarbonisation body of knowledge. The models indicate that carbon literacy is the only driver with a significant positive influence on contractors’ pragmatic and consummate carbon reduction behaviour. Likewise, resources and prioritisation was found to be the only significant barrier impeding contractors’ consummate behaviour, and only construction-installation KPIs have a
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considerable influence on the consummate behaviour of contractors in reducing carbon. Consequently, a carbon management protocol was developed to guide the carbon management performance of contractors and steer the attainment of construction decarbonisation. The outcome of this research could provide direction to construction clients and policymakers in instituting effective strategies focused on the identified factors to support the decarbonisation of built environment projects.</p
Cement Replacement in Concrete: A Review of Research Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions
No full textIn the field of sustainable concrete practices, this review paper focuses on the concerns of the high percentage of embodied carbon dioxide present in the earth’s atmosphere by addressing the pivotal impact concrete has on this. Cement being a main ingredient in concrete has a great share in the amount of carbon dioxide embodied into the world. The substantial environmental impact of cement production on a regular basis underscores the urgency to explore alternatives and substitutions. Previous studies by scientists and engineers have successfully demonstrated the viability of partial cement replacement by percentages in concrete by enhancing its properties and reducing the environmental impact. This review paper will focus on the idea of potentially complete cement replacement in concrete. This potential idea is build based on the foundation laid by previous engineering researchers and scientists that have explored and delved into the study of potential and possible cement replacements. By recognizing that cement is a major and a main component in concrete and is a major sustainable challenge to overcome, the analysis of previous results and research will be explored based on the feasibility and implication of eliminating cement entirely from the concrete mix. Numerous tests performed previously has been conducted and recorded on partial cement replacements have shown promising results indicating the suitability of cement-free concrete for low to medium structural applications. This review goes beyond traditional studied that gradually replace cement, instead it highlights a paradigm shift towards complete replacement. A critical evaluation of existing research and findings with the aim of contributing to a more sustainable future for concrete applications. By conducting a critical evaluation and an inclusion and exclusion method to identify the gaps in the analysis, this review paper will not only highlight the successful partial replacements of cement but will also identify the gaps in literature, providing a guiding future investigation and prompting a more environmentally friendly and a conscious approach towards the concrete production in the engineering world. Being an informative resource for both industry experts and newcomers.</p
Identifying Competencies for Procuring Equipment Facilities in Public Tertiary Institutions Towards a Sustainable Procurement
No full textPublic tertiary institutions (PTI) often face challenges in the procurement of public educational facilities (i.e., buildings, equipment, roads, ICT, etc), leading to delays, cost overruns, and substandard infrastructure delivery. This in turn, affects the efficiency of the teaching and learning environment. Recently, requirements for procurement functions, competencies, and skills have become multi-disciplinary, cutting across several range of skill-sets to facilitate a more sustainable teaching and learning environment. However, a comprehensive understanding of the competencies required in the procurement of different types of equipment that support effective and sustainable teaching and learning in PTI is lacking. This study identifies the competencies required for the procurement of equipment in PTI. The study collected data from procurement personnel in public institutions within Kaduna, Nigeria through a questionnaire survey. A response rate of 40% was retrieved. The results show that all the competencies identified from the literature are critical in the procurement of equipment in PTI. However, the result shows that the ‘application of national procurement law & procedures’, ‘tendering’, ‘communication (oral/written)’, ‘procurement planning’, and ‘quality management’ are the top five with the highest importance in the procurement of equipment in PTI. The study therefore, recommends that procurement personnel within PTI should focus more on improving competencies in the areas of ‘cultural awareness’, ‘business case development/business planning’, ‘entrepreneurship’, ‘application of corporate social responsibility procedures’, ‘stress management’ and ‘application of corporate social responsibility procedures.</p
A Solution is Growing: Are Mycelium-based materials the answer for a sustainable future in the built environment?
No full textRising global temperatures and environmental pollution have put into question traditional construction materials in search of sustainable solutions. An alternative lies in the utilisation of biological materials through growing mycelium-forming fungal microorganisms on various organic feedstocks. Surviving numerous mass extinctions and dramatic changes in climate, these microscopic heterotrophic organisms play a key role in recycling biomass. Newly developing research questions the possibility of utilising this organism’s naturally occurring recycling properties to incorporate it within the structures where humans spend the majority of their time, buildings. The root-like network of hyphae (mycelium) is an organism responsible for nutrient sourcing and transportation for the growth, and reproduction of fungi (Biala and Ostermann 2024). To grow it requires access to an organic substrate to decompose and subtract nutrients from (Biala and Ostermann 2024). This naturally occurring process has been developed within lab environments to create naturally formed structures, (Agraviador, 2024) and combined with various feedstocks to create mycelium-based composites (MBCs), with properties deeming them potentially useful within the built environment (Jones et al., 2020). Promising results in this potentially pioneering sustainable material have been collected. This paper discusses the suitability of mycelium-based materials in relation to; resource sustainability, durability, recyclability, feasibility, and pollution through investigating existing case studies and analysing current research. An analysis of companies currently developing these products regarding the costs, scalability, and limitations alongside a comparison to traditional construction materials regarding key factors such as acoustic, and thermal insulating capabilities has been explored, alongside a prediction of future projection. The research is conducted with a pragmatic and postpositivist approach with a critical analysis of data with a mixed-method approach. This provides a comprehensive insight into the use of mycelium as a potentially sustainable and innovative building material, alongside the necessary development for its implementation in the construction industry.</p
The impact of attitudinal engagement when implementing digitalisation in construction projects.
No full textDigitalisation is a revolutionary force in many sectors that may lead to cost reduction, enhanced efficiency, improved data utilisation and therefore delivery of projects with increased sustainability. Despite an awareness of how crucial it is to implement digital technologies to increase both commercial success and improved sustainability credentials, so called Triple Bottom Line, the construction industry trails behind other sectors. The construction industry's slow digital adoption due to technological, cultural, and attitudinal barriers is well known and is possibly due to the lack of industry-specific research. This multi-case study was unique in that it focused on investigating the impact of attitudinal factors affecting the adoption of digitalisation in construction companies in Ireland and as a comparison a company the US which could be considered as a more sophisticated market. A mixed-method research approach informed by a literature review, involved using 18 semi-structured interviews and 50 confirmatory questionnaire?based surveys. Data were thematically analysed and despite the geographical, cultural and size differences between the two jurisdictions, the initial findings showed a commonality of factors such as training and leadership that positively influence attitudinal change potentially facilitating the successful adoption of digitalisation, and subsequent benefits derived by stakeholders within the construction sector.</p
Bridging the Global North and South for Sustainable Environmental Governance: Equitable Resource Sharing, Citizen Science, Technology Transfer, and Cultural Synergy
No full textThis study explores the intersection of sustainability and social responsibility, aiming to develop equitable and eco-friendly solutions at various levels by focusing on grassroots initiatives in Nigeria and citizen science integration in environmental governance in Kenya, highlighting inclusivity, effective policies, and technological advancements. The research employs qualitative methods including interviews with community members, municipal officials, and policymakers to identify successful characteristics of sustainability initiatives. Key findings reveal that inclusive decision making, integration of local knowledge and cultural expertise, and adaptive management strategies are crucial. The study underscores the need for robust environmental legal frameworks, participatory environmental management, incentivization and community-based approaches in achieving sustainable and equitable development. Furthermore, the research highlights the critical role of technology transfer and cultural integration in enhancing environmental governance. Effective technology transfer involves adapting innovative technologies to local contexts and aligning them with cultural norms. By examining case studies in Nigeria and Kenya, the study offers insights for community leaders, policymakers, and academics to harmonize traditional practices with innovative sustainability initiatives. This approach aims to create positive environmental and social impacts at both the grassroots and global levels, bridging the gap between the Global North and South.</p
The Sustainability Implications of Hybrid Working Practices on Offices in a Post-Covid 19 World
No full textAs part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, patterns in working practices shifted. The legacy of this remains and has caused a fundamental shift in how office buildings are used. Hybrid and remote working for office-based staff gained significant traction and continues to do so. The impact of these changes in working patterns has far-reaching implications, in essence, resetting a number of long-held practices. Operationally, there are real questions around the need to rethink office building purpose and re-evaluate office energy and spatial use. This rethinking presents a challenge for office users and managers but also for how we understand and measure the sustainability of these changing office buildings. The research focuses on the broader sustainability and management implications of this changing office working environment, mobilising the Methodology for Interdisciplinary Research (MIR) framework and drawing upon a BREEAM Excellent case study office building. The research uses a multi-disciplinary approach involving industry and academic professionals from various disciplines, from the built environment to psychology. Using building data, interviews and broader published research, the study considers the reliability of past strategies for measuring sustainability against this more dynamic working environment and whether they are still fit for purpose. The challenges faced in the transition to new hybrid working practices are unpacked. The research posits the broader implications for office buildings. Findings illustrate how perceptions of actors shift regarding office buildings and how technology will impact the office and energy use. In particular, the transition to the requirement for much more tailored and dynamic building management systems, working practices 49 and the increased importance of corporate responsibility for scope three and digital carbon emissions.</p
An Examination of Teacher Perspectives of Assessment and Testing in a Primary School and The Role of The Headteacher.
No full textPurpose: The aim of this research is to highlight the role of the head teacher in relation to the impact of testing in primary schools. It aims to contribute and stimulate a discussion not only on the role of headteachers but also on the impact of testing in general terms. An extended aim of this research; is to support other school leaders understand the complexities of a new curriculum, assessment system and new tests and in turn allow them to understand the impact and their role, before responding to the ever-changing demands of assessment and curriculum design.
Design and methodology: This thesis is a longitudinal piece of research to critically review the policies that have led to the overhaul of the primary school assessment system, resulting in the removal of levels and the creation of a pass or fail testing system, (introduced in 2016). I review the impact of this new system on pupils from the perspective of their teachers, investigate the teacher perspective regarding whether formal assessment is working as intended and how the role of headteacher has led to the teacher perspectives analysed. To do this, I analyse, using a thematic approach and present data from primary school staff based within a school setting; using semi structured interviews and reflective diaries over an academic year. The findings then lead to a reflective analysis of school systems, based on Bronfenbrenner’s eco systems and how headteacher decisions sit within these systems.
Findings: This research shows that, within the research setting, testing does not have a negative impact on pupils. These policies, which schools must legally work within, do have some degree of flexibility. This is largely due to the role of the headteacher and the decisions and culture created. School leaders are able to challenge, teach and raise standards and negate the negative impact that testing can have. They can make a difference and do not need to be ruled by fear of data or Ofsted. A school can be ‘Good’,</p
Mumfluencers: Family “Vlogging” and the Commodification of Childhood
No full textSocial media, beginning as a benign way of connecting with friends, has, in recent years, become manifest in a corporate world of advertising and as a means of collecting revenue. “Influencers” are described as “a new type of third-party endorser who shape audience attitudes through blogs, tweets, and the use of other social media” (Freberg et al. 2011: 92). Considered to be a next generation of online celebrities, influencers promote their idealistic luxury lifestyles to “influence” consumers to purchase goods.</p
Examining the Challenges of Cloud Data Management Usage in the South African Construction Industry
No full textThe construction industry globally is undergoing a significant digital transformation driven by innovative technologies such as cloud computing. Despite the numerous benefits of using cloud computing services, there are still some notable barriers to its full-scale adoption in the construction industry. Hence, the paper aims to examine the barriers of cloud data management (CDM) usage within the South African construction industry (SACI). The study adopted a quantitative research methodology using a closed-ended questionnaire that was distributed to construction professionals and IT experts with construction experience based in the Gauteng province in South Africa, and 104 responses were recorded. Principal component analysis (PCA) and descriptive statistical procedures were used to analyse the data as part of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using the computer program SPSS. The study revealed the diverse range of barriers that significantly affect the effective adoption of CDM to be privacy concerns, lack of awareness, data security, and risk of data breaches in data centers of cloud service providers categorized into clusters like ‘Operational and regulatory’, ‘Data security and privacy’, ‘Technological proficiency’, ‘Standardization and reliability’, ‘Infrastructural and Organizational’ and ‘Economic, Trust and Compliance’ from the EFA analysis. To address the obstacles, CDM service providers can drive the usage of these services through establishing targeted awareness educational programs working closely with construction professionals, and the collaborative approach between built environment stakeholders and cloud providers can help tailor improved regulatory framework to the SACI’s needs.</p