scholarly journals Green business models in the construction sector: an analysis of outcomes and benefits

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Abuzeinab ◽  
Mohammed Arif ◽  
Mohd. Asim Qadri ◽  
Dennis Kulonda
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Green Business ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Green business models (GBMs) in the construction sector represent the logic of green value creation and capture. Hence, the call to examine GBMs is growing ever louder. The aim of this paper is to identify benefits of GBMs by adopting five essential elements of the GBM from the literature: green value proposition; target group; key activities; key resources (KR); and financial logic. Design/methodology/approach In all, 19 semi-structured interviews are conducted with construction sector practitioners and academics in the UK. Thematic analysis is used to obtain benefits of GBMs. Further, the interpretive ranking process (IRP) is used to examine which elements of the GBM have a dominant role in providing benefits to construction businesses. Findings The benefits are grouped into three themes: credibility/reputation benefits; financial benefits; and long-term viability benefits. The IRP model shows that the element of KR is the most important when evaluated against these three benefit themes. Practical implications Linking GBM elements and benefits will help companies in the construction sector to analyse the business case of embracing environmental sustainability. Originality/value This research is one of the few empirical academic works investigating the benefits of GBMs in the construction sector. The IRP method is a novel contribution to GBMs and construction research.

scholarly journals Green business models transformation: evidence from the UK construction sector

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Abuzeinab ◽  
Mohammed Arif ◽  
Dennis J. Kulonda ◽  
Bankole Osita Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Green Business ◽  
Value Creation And Capture ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Sustainability has the potential to bring enormous benefits to our built environment. To release this potential, a change in business models is required. The purpose of this paper is to investigate green business models (GBMs) transformation by adopting five essential elements of green value creation and capture: green value proposition (GVP), target group (TG), key activities (KA), key resources (KR), and financial logic (FL). Design/methodology/approach In this qualitative study, 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviewees were selected purposively. The emergent data were analysed with the aid of themes. Findings It was observed that significant effort was being made towards enabling the transformation of certain elements pertinent to green value creation: KA and KR. This was particularly so when compared to other elements like GVP, TG, and FL. Practical implications Findings from this study should encourage construction managers to align their extant BMs to green activities hence enabling new approaches to green value creation and capture. Furthermore, the study will aid in improving the environmental and economic positions of the value chain within the construction sector. Originality/value This research is one of the few empirical academic works investigating GBMs in the construction sector.

scholarly journals Barriers to MNEs green business models in the UK construction sector: An ISM analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 160 ◽  
pp. 27-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Abuzeinab ◽  
Mohammed Arif ◽  
Mohammad Asim Qadri
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Green Business ◽  
The Uk

A framework for the adoption of green business models in the Ghanaian construction industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theophilus Lamptey ◽  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu ◽  
Alex Acheampong ◽  
Michael Adesi ◽  
Frank Ato Ghansah
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Green Business

PurposeDespite the amount of considerable investigations on business models, much studies have not been undertaken in the construction industry emphasising the adoption of green business models to drive sustainable construction. Construction activities continue to increase the carbon footprint and eject contaminated materials into the ecological environment with dire consequences for economic and social sustainability. As a result of the adverse impacts of construction activities, it is necessary for construction firms to rethink their approach to the use of conventional business models. The purpose of this study is to explore a framework for the adoption of green business models to drive sustainability in the construction industry of Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis research is exploratory due to its focus on emerging economies in which there is a perceptible gap in the adoption of green business models. As a result of this, this paper is entrenched in the interpretivist philosophical stance, which led to the adoption of the qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken involving 13 senior managers of construction firms. A thematic analysis was used with the aid of qualitative data analysis computer software package to code the interview transcripts.FindingsThe results demonstrate the six definitions of green business models among the managers of construction firms. The study also shows the need for developing green business models to address the issues of circularity and sustainability goals to reduce carbon footprints in the construction industry. Similarly, the paper found various sources of information to drive the awareness, understanding and adoption of the components for green business models. These sources include international conferences and training workshops on green business models. Finally, the study presents a framework that integrates the building information modelling (BIM) and the Internet of things (IoT) into the components for green business models adoption in construction firms.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to use the quantitative approach to undertake further empirical studies, as this paper focuses mostly on the qualitative approach to ascertain the nature of the relationship between green business model and the various components of the circular economy in the construction industry.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing knowledge on green business models by demonstrating six key pillars of green business models by the inclusion of digital technologies such as BIM and IoT, which hitherto this investigation have not been considered in the adoption of green business models in the construction industry. This study extends the existing knowledge on green business models, which has the potential to increase the awareness and understanding of practitioners and managers of construction firms.

scholarly journals What makes an “innovation champion”?

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalya Sergeeva
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how an “innovation champion” identity is formulated in the context of UK construction sector. A conceptual model of “innovation champion” themes is derived from the literature on social identity and then validated through empirical research. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 30 semi-structured interviews have been conducted with UK construction sector practitioners. The sample was composed active participants within the Constructing Excellence – the UK construction sector’s network-type organisation for driving innovation. Findings – Practitioners socially constructed “innovation champion” identities through narratives about “self” or others. While some practitioners saw themselves as “innovation champions”, many others recognised CEOs as such. “Innovation champions” are commonly recognised as key individuals who promote innovations across businesses. Practical implications – Socially constructed identities are seen important to strategic decisions and future actions. The potential contribution to practice is to help current and new generations of practitioners to learn about how to be or become “innovation champions”. Social implications – The concept of social identity presents opportunities to enrich our understanding of the “innovation champion” label can stimulate people’s reflections on who they are and what they do. Originality/value – The present paper has extended upon prior research and theory by exploring the ways practitioners perceive themselves or others as “innovation champions”. While this research has focused on the UK construction sector, the findings are potentially useful for other sectors where “innovation champion” labels are commonly used.

Implementation of circular economy principles during pre-construction stage: the case of Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amodith Supunmal Wijewansha ◽  
G.A. Tennakoon ◽  
K.G.A.S. Waidyasekara ◽  
B.J. Ekanayake
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Stage ◽  
Content Type

PurposeDespite the positive impacts of the construction sector on enhancing economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, its negative impacts on the environment from unsustainable resource consumption levels, emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and waste generation is monumental. Circular economy (CE) concept is identified globally as an avenue to address problems regarding adverse impacts of construction on the environment. This paper presents the principles of CE as an avenue for enhancing environmental sustainability during the pre-construction stage within Sri Lankan construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThis research was approached through a qualitative research method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts. The number of experts were limited due to lack of experts with knowledge on the subject area in Sri Lanka. Data were analysed using content analysis.FindingsFindings revealed a range of activities under each R principle of CE, that is, reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, reclassification and renewability that could be implemented during the pre-construction stage, thereby providing a guide for construction professionals in implementing CE at the pre-construction stage. The need to expand knowledge on CE concepts within the Sri Lankan construction sector was recognized.Originality/valueThis study provides a qualitative in-depth perspective on how 6R principles of CE could be integrated to a construction project during the pre-construction stage. By adopting the proposed activities under CE principles, construction professionals can enhance the environmental sustainability of construction projects.

scholarly journals Corporate social responsibility or sustainability in music festivals

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1257-1273
Author(s):  
Neil Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Business Case ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ethical Practices ◽  
Music Festivals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Environments ◽  
Good For ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to establish whether social considerations are valued within the UK music festivals. Design/methodology/approach A case study featuring 21 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders delivering seven music festivals. Thematic analysis enabled identification of insights into differences between organisers and suppliers. Findings The respondents were positive towards sustainability; however, CSR had little recognition. Both stakeholder groups adopted “ethical” practices. Suppliers want organisers to be transparent and fair. Organisers want supplier to comply with their approaches. All stakeholders need to improve their communications. Research limitations/implications As a small qualitative study, it is not representative of the sector. Furthermore, suppliers may be unwilling to critique festivals. Social desirability bias may be evident. Practical implications Festivals operate in increasingly competitive environments; hence, the insights herein should improve stakeholder and festivalgoer engagement. Social implications The stakeholders exhibited diverse sustainability orientations and unfailingly made the business case for SMEs adopting sustainable practices. Ethical practices herein seek partly to address social exclusion. Organisers have attracted festivalgoers who are not averse to the notion that societal endeavours are not just good for society, but also good for them. Originality/value Few studies of the adoption of social considerations exist within the creative industries.

scholarly journals The clothes swapping phenomenon – when consumers become suppliers

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Elisabeth Henninger ◽  
Nina Bürklin ◽  
Kirsi Niinimäki
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Collaborative Consumption ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore swap-shops, which emerged as part of the collaborative consumption phenomenon, by investigating what the implications are of consumers acting as suppliers and how this affects supply chain management within the context of the fashion industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study explores the collaborative consumption phenomenon through swap-shops in three countries: the UK, Finland and Germany. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with swappers, non-swappers and organisers. To further enhance the data set six observations of swap-shop events were conducted. Data were transcribed and analysed using multiple coding cycles and using a grounded research approach.FindingsFindings indicate that consumers were most concerned with availability/sizing and quality of garments, whilst organisers felt uncertainty was the biggest issue. Data allowed creating a framework that blueprints the swapping supply chain, in which consumers emerge as suppliers. It highlights possible activities in different cycles, whilst furthermore indicates that consumption cycles can move from monetary (e.g. selling) to non-monetary transactions (e.g. swapping) and vice versa.Practical implicationsSwapping as a relatively new fashion supply mode implies a fluidity of market roles. Disruptive business models can blur boundaries between the supply- and demand-side. This indicates that consumers can change “roles” multiple times as they go through the consumption cycle.Originality/valueThe authors extended the knowledge on swapping by describing how this phenomenon can activate consumers, and extend and intensify the use of garments and therefore swapping can slow the material throughput in the system. It is the first paper to focus solely on swapping within a three country context.

scholarly journals The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the UK construction industry and the process of future-proofing business

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Stride ◽  
Suresh Renukappa ◽  
Subashini Suresh ◽  
Charles Egbu
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
World Health ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
New Policies ◽  
The Uk

Purpose COVID-19 was officially declared as a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 11th March 2020, before the UK was put into lockdown on the 23rd March 2020. Organisations had to reconsider their policies and procedures to allow their businesses to continue. This paper aims to focus on the effects of COVID-19 that the UK construction sector has had to undertake to enable businesses while employees had to adhere to COVID-19 lockdown rules. In addition, how the sector can positively continue once normality has returned within the industry. In doing so, this paper understands the historical issues within the construction sector and has had an effect during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research methodology approach was taken to help obtain live information. In total, 19 semi-structured interviews from 15 organisations related to the construction sector were conducted to collect data. This information was evaluated using thematic analysis to arrive at the results, inferences and recommendations to the sector. Findings This research has revealed that companies have had to adopt a three-stage process to overcome a new dimensional challenge of COVID-19. These include: 1. Making quick decisions during the first stage of the pandemic. 2. Producing new policies and procedures to restart businesses enabling staff to return to the workplace safely. 3. Implementing methods to future-proof organisations against any potential pandemics. To help organisations future-proof their business five C’s are recommended. Originality/value This paper provides a rich insight into the understanding and awareness of the effects of COVID-19 and the changes that the construction sector has had to undertake to adhere to the lockdown rules while remaining productive. This research contributes towards informing policymakers on some of the lessons learned during the management of the COVID-19 pandemic from a construction sector perspective.

Choice editing as a retailers’ tool for sustainable consumption

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 464-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Gunn ◽  
Oksana Mont
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Product Category ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Governmental Regulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how and why choice editing is being used as a tool to promote sustainable consumption, using the choice editing of fish as a case study. Design/methodology/approach – This study is explorative in nature and is based on a case study of choice editing of fish as a product category that has undergone fairly widespread choice editing. The case is built on primary empirical data from three Swedish and four British retailers collected through semi-structured interviews. These retailers are of different sizes, but together represent over 50 per cent of the food retail market in both Sweden and the UK taken by market share. Findings – The findings suggest that the main business case choice editing is the creation of a responsible brand image and is often based on pressure from wider societal norms. The case for choice editing is therefore ultimately reliant on consumer recognition of sustainability issues as valuable, and it is unlikely to be taken up when retailers see no added brand value in acting responsibly on a certain issue. Clearer product-based indicators and stronger governmental regulation of unsustainable products may enable further choice editing for sustainability by retailers. NGOs and the media also play a critical role. Originality/value – To enable further choice editing for sustainability by retailers, there is a need for clearer product-based indicators and stronger governmental regulation of unsustainable products.

“There is still a perception that homelessness is a housing problem”: devolution, homelessness and health in the UK

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Whiteford ◽  
Glenn Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Issue Salience ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Comparative Policy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory account of the links between devolution, homelessness and health in the UK. Specifically, it focusses on the policy context and governance structures that shape the systems of healthcare for homeless people in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Design/methodology/approach Empirically the paper draws on semi-structured interviews with a small sample of policy and practice actors from the devolved territories. Qualitative interviews were supplemented by a comparative policy analysis of the homelessness and health agenda within the devolved regions. Theoretically, it takes inspiration from Chaney’s concept of the “issue salience of homelessness” and explores the comparative character of healthcare as pertains to homeless people across the devolved territories. Findings The paper provides clear evidence of areas of divergence and convergence in policy and practice between the devolved regions. These features are shown to be strongly mediated by the interplay of two factors: first, the scope and scale of national and local homelessness prevention strategies; and second, intra-national variation in public health responses to homelessness. Originality/value The paper offers considerable insight from a comparative policy perspective into the nature of healthcare provision for homeless people in the devolved regions.

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