Dr Maria Unuigbe

The environmental challenges facing society and the need for a knowledgeable and equipped workforce to respond to current and future challenges have propelled the construction industry to review its work practices and how future professionals are educated and trained. Allied professional institutions, such as the Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA), through their education themes and values, have created targeted opportunities for Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to delve into areas such as climate literacy and health and life safety. In line with this, this research serves as a pilot study and aims to explore the sustainability literacy and climate change-related views of built environment (BE) students at two Universities in North West England as part of a wider research on capacity building. Data was obtained through a questionnaire survey of seventy-two (72) students and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show students’ sustainability literacy levels, and the significance attributed to climate change in decision-making. This study provides unique insight into the perceptions and gaps in sustainability knowledge that will aid in developing a domain-knowledge map for future research. It proffers recommendations on how to fill the gap in sustainability knowledge from multiple approaches.

Purpose: The problems arising during building use and operation resulting in high cost of maintenance and poor building performance are argued to be due to lack of adequate consideration given to operational requirements during the design process. Considering that Facilities Managers (FMs) are key stakeholders in the operational phase of the building, their voices in advising the design team can be critical. However evidence suggests that the traditional design process rarely involve the FMs to contribute to decision making until the later stage of occupation. The aim of this research was therefore to investigate the factors that hinder FMs from effectively contributing to the decision making in the design process. Research Design: An online questionnaire survey was conducted targeting FMs views concerning factors that hinder them from having a significant contribution in decision making in the design process. Findings & Implications: The findings show that generally FMs agree of the potential positive contribution they can make to optimising design solutions. This can ultimately contribute to better performing projects. However they recognise internal and external perception issues which can impact on their full involvement. Internal issues such as lack of recognition and support from the organisation and the FM’s limited access to strategic information are seem to be major hindrances to the FMs full contribution in the design process. Externally, the attitudes of and recognition of FM by the design team are perceived to have an influence on the FMs contribution in the design process.

Purpose: The UK Government has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, being the first major nation to do so. While laudable, it raises the question, “are future built environment professionals (BEPs) equipped for this?” Although studies related to students’ perspectives exist, they broadly focus on sustainability-related pedagogical aspects, with limited studies conducted in the built environment (BE). This study makes the case that it is timely to investigate this from an emerging perspective using the term “low-carbon future” (LCF), given that it is germane to achieving net-zero emissions and is at the forefront of academic and practice discourse. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the knowledge level of UK BE students’ in higher education institutions (HEIs) specific to the term LCF. Design/methodology/approach: This is a systematic scoping study review of published papers related to sustainability in BE curricula in the UK HEI context. Findings: The findings reveal that LCF remains at a nascent stage, with no study specifically addressing it. It indicates a knowledge gap that could impact the grounding students require to address current and future sustainability challenges. Research limitations/implications: The review focused on a specific term, which, while relevant, is very niche. A review of other emerging terms, considering LCF as a theme, and/or empirical data from diverse stakeholders in UK HEIs could enrich the results. Practical implications: This study provides significant insight into the status of sustainability inclusion in the BE curriculum. It would serve as a reference for stakeholders involved in equipping future BEPs with the requisite knowledge and skills to deal with sustainability challenges that will be consequential beyond the UK context. It would also inform future research. Social implications: Sustainability-informed and equipped BEPs will be influential in shaping their immediate surroundings and how people engage with them, which will contribute to developing a more equitable and sustainable society. Originality/value: Beyond contributing to the discourse on sustainability literacy in UK HEI from an emerging concept perspective, this study would be useful as possibly the first of its kind. Therefore, it fills the theoretical gap and proffers recommendations that would be beneficial for curriculum development.

Purpose: The increasing awareness of stress as an issue in the construction industry, and the increased realisation of the more effective approach of preventing stress as opposed to treating mental health has placed a great responsibility on industries that rely heavily on the performance of their workforce. In line with this, this research aims to investigate the causes of stress as well as the best strategies for improving professional resilience and stress management proficiency in the construction industry. Design/Methodology: Using exploratory sequential mixed method research design, the top factors that cause stress, mitigate stress, and to build resilience are identified and discussed. Findings: The findings show thematic similarities in the causes of stress, by displaying a reoccurring theme relating to the quality and lack of information, as well as poor communication among the construction professionals. This implies that poor collaboration and “over-the-wall syndrome” of the construction industry does not only contribute to defective output and reworks, it also has significant impacts on the health and well-being of the professionals. Recommendations are made on how to mitigate stress in the industry, by addressing its root-causes and implementing the identified mitigation strategies. This includes a realistic approach to budgeting and project duration, as well as improved communication and collaboration. Value: Finding of this study could help in mitigating stress and mental health concerns that are currently plaguing the construction industry.

Sustainability in the built environment is a key topic of discussion due to the adverse impact buildings have on the environment. This has propelled many countries to put in place sustainable development measures. This has however, been met with challenges in developing countries, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). SSA has a history of endemic energy crisis, despite its abundance of renewable energy resources. Reflecting this is the heavy reliance on fossil fuels for power generation in SSA countries. The findings reported in this paper form part of a wider study on the perceived barriers to sustainability by built environment professionals in SSA, with specific focus on use of renewable energy source (RES) for power generation in buildings. This paper focuses on the identification of a suitable methodology, which takes into consideration the distinctive characteristics of the SSA context for enquiry through the adoption of a scoping study review. The study addresses the concerns of methodology selection and application by reviewing strategies and methods adopted by past and current enquiry in SSA, which have primarily been aligned with theories, frameworks and research in developed countries. This is of importance due to the impact contextual, subjective and other factors can have on the outcome of enquiry as evidenced by previous research in literature. The purpose of this scoping study review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the available relevant research on barriers to sustainability in SSA, which focused on study designs with empirical evidence, which would aid in informing the selection of a methodology suited for studies specific to the context of SSA. The scoping review is underpinned by the five-stage framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005). The results indicate that there is a need to view SSA as a distinctive case based on its context and other characteristics, which will influences its research outcomes. Based on the review, it is suggested that grounded theory method is a suitable approach because it will take into consideration the wider context.

Purpose – Challenges to energy access in Nigeria have resulted in the widespread use of fossil fuel generating sets (generators) despite their renewable energy (RE) potential. Given the climate crisis, combined with the country’s rapid population growth and expected rise in energy and building demand, transitioning to low-carbon electricity using REs like solar photovoltaic (PV) presents opportunities beyond securing its energy future. While PV use is growing in Nigeria, this is focused on the residential sector despite the identification of the commercial sector as a high energy consumer and a key platform for its integration. This paper investigates the challenges in transitioning to solar PV in commercial buildings from a building professionals perspective Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach in line with grounded theory was adopted using in-depth face-to-face interviews with industry experts. Findings – Two distinct but interrelated categories emerged: being held captive and being a saviour that represented a duality of systems, and/or processes formed the core category ‘Hostage Syndrome’. The core category (theory) was generated based on the explanations and expressions by participants about their concerns, interests, and the conditions under which they operate. The findings reveal the value attributed to generators beyond an operational role and the adjustments or mechanisms adopted by building professionals during their practice. It suggests a sphere of influence beyond the obvious financial and/or institutional aspects, as determining factors to what is viewed as sustainable which will be key to transitioning to REs. Originality/value – This paper provides new and in-depth insight into understanding the conditions under which building professionals operate associated with their interpretations of ‘being sustainable’. The study highlights the need to consider psychological and cultural factors in the development of interventions, strategies, and/or policies to support RE transition, particularly towards achieving a sustainable construction industry.

The adoption and integration of renewable energy technologies (RETs) into buildings is key to making the necessary transition to low-carbon and resilient built environments. However, such technologies have struggled to gain a firm foothold in countries within the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region. This is particularly the case in Nigeria, which suffers from severe energy poverty, despite its significant RE and conventional energy potential. In Nigeria, a significant proportion of the energy demand for offices is provided by self-powered off-grid fossil-fuel generators. The country is also one of the primary settings for increased construction activity. This, combined with its susceptibility to the effects of climate change, presents significant concerns relating to the resilience of its built environment. However, there has not yet been a comprehensive empirical study addressing this, as previous studies have been limited in their insight and perspectives. This study adopted a grounded theory method (GTM) aligned with Charmaz’s approach, to gain in-depth participant-driven insights into factors influencing sustainable energy use in commercial buildings, focusing on solar photovoltaics (PVs). This led to the development of a theory of the sustainability transition process of construction professionals (CPs). It provides relevant, reliable, and relatable points of reference that would be beneficial to policymakers in developing plans for actionable interventions for PV and broader sustainable measures toward green energy transition. Furthermore, it highlights the value of employing GTMs in construction management research beyond the developing context. This paper contributes theoretically, empirically, and methodologically to facilitate a better understanding of the situations (context) grounded in empirical data.

Sustainability is not new concept; however, it has received increased attention because of the effects of anthropogenic activity in varied sectors of life. The built environment is one of such sectors, which is often criticized for its effects and as evident in literature, sustainability in the built environment is complex in nature. As such, the interpretations associated with it, the significance attributed to it and its adoption, are diverse in every country. Sustainability in the built environment is important, as it promotes energy friendly and efficient systems in buildings, especially in light of global climate change. However, this appears to be lacking in the Nigerian built environment. The paper aims to examine impeding factors to sustainability in the Nigerian built environment through a scoping study review. Nigeria is often described as a paradox in many ways, one of which is having a power deficit and yet abundant renewable energy sources. The paper presents a comprehensive survey of relevant literature on the perceptions of built environment professionals in Nigeria for identification of impeding factors to sustainability adoption. While impeding factors to sustainability in the Nigerian built environment is not new, the identification and understanding of the factors remains restricted and shallow. As such, it lags the required uptake for sustainable buildings reflective in other countries. In addition, a comprehensive survey of impeding factors to sustainability in the Nigerian built environment is lacking in literature, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge. The paper aims to fill this gap through a scoping review, underpinned by Daudt et al.'s (2013) adapted version of Arksey and O ’Malley's (2005) five stage framework. The main findings suggest that the Nigerian context have not been holistically embraced in existing studies, highlighting generalised impeding factors such as finance and awareness as top ranking factors. Furthermore, the review addresses concerns associated with the existing research approach and its shortcomings, as well as strategies for improvement. Further research to expand knowledge is also recommended.

Purpose Digital uptake amongst construction organisations is described as slow and ineffective, undermining a fundamental transformation and limiting construction firms from exploiting the digital benefits. In this space, meaningful research that utilises a qualitative approach in pursuit for employees' insights towards digital transformation is lacking. Such limited focus from previous efforts presents an opportunity to illuminate the determinants of an effective digital transformation that are, arguably, responsible for the status quo of low digital uptake in the construction sector. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned idea. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative approach to address the literature's digital discreetness in construction. The qualitative approach captures employees' perspectives through its unbounded characteristic of encouraging illustration and discussion. Findings This paper captures 35 digital transformation determinants under three clusters, namely, organisation related, i.e. hierarchy, size and management, people related, i.e. team orientation, training and knowledge and leadership related, i.e. awareness, attitude, approach and leaders' characteristics. Findings suggest a new set of arguments in relation to understudied factors and their influence on the digital uptake in construction organisations. Originality/value This paper offers empirical indication of the determinants believed to influence an effective digital transformation in construction organisations. Such conceptualisation is crucial and is depicted as perceived by construction employees and practitioners, which is a less biased approach than that of comparable studies that argue the viewpoints of industry leaders in isolation of other members of the hierarchy.

Purpose – In the past decade, transforming key processes and activities towards a more digital nature has been the focus of most industries due to the associated advantages. Despite that, organisations in the construction sector are lagging the list of early adopters. The slow rate of a fundamental digital transformation is linked to the challenges facing an effective leadership. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to shed light on the barriers to digital leadership enactment in the construction industry. Limited research has empirically analysed and discussed these barriers to explain the low transformation rate in the existing body of knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – This paper empirically investigates the perspectives of construction industry professionals acquiring various roles in the industry. Overall, the study comprises the views of 38 participants, adopting a qualitative methodological approach to explore relative barriers and explain the slow digital transformation rate. Findings – Findings are grouped into five themes: leadership characteristics, management and organisational issues, resource constraints, technological issues, and risk perceptions. The findings are helpful to business leaders, researchers, trainers, and educators to develop measures to encourage leaders in the industry to be at the forefront of digital transformation in their organisations. Originality/value – Literature, however, is discreet in reflecting the challenges and barriers facing today’s leadership in facilitating digital transformation among construction stakeholders. This paper provides insights into the variables that may be undermining wider digital adoption across the construction sector’s organisations.

Due to the practical complexity and fragmented nature of the construction industry, digitalisation, like other innovations, is not easily achieved. This study aimed to explore organisational influences on digitalisation within construction firms. Due to the practical complexity and fragmented nature of the construction industry, digitalisation, like other innovations, is not easily achieved. This study aimed to explore organisational influences on digitalisation within construction firms. Construction professionals from twenty-two organisations provided their perspectives on digital transformation and their organisations. Under four constructs- structure, culture, leadership, and internal processes, findings uncovered sixteen determinants critical to digitalisation in construction firms. The study offers a offers a theoretical perspective supported by empirical data to explore the complex dynamics and internal interactions of organisational influence on the uptake of digitalisation in the construction industry. This paper offers arguments from a theoretical lens by applying the organisational influence model and capturing the variables under each construct in an exploratory manner to highlight the reasoning behind the low digital uptake in construction firms. This research aids academia and practice on the pressure points responsible for enhancing, or undermining, digital uptake in construction firms at an organisational level.