Decision-Making Dynamics of Engineers in Selecting Environmentally Friendly Materials for Medium-Scale Construction Projects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i1.366Keywords:
Decision-Making Dynamics, Engineers, Environmentally Friendly Materials, Medium-Scale Construction ProjectsAbstract
This study examines the decision-making dynamics behind the selection of environmentally friendly materials in medium-scale construction projects in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Using a qualitative case study approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight key informants, including engineers, project managers, and a quantity surveyor. Thematic analysis reveals that material selection decisions are shaped by dynamic negotiations among technical performance, cost efficiency, schedule constraints, and risk perceptions, with project managers and quantity surveyors playing decisive roles. The study highlights that in medium-scale projects, the adoption of environmentally friendly materials depends more on cross-role decision-making mechanisms than on individual environmental awareness. These findings contribute to practical insights on sustainable material selection and provide an empirical basis for developing more contextual green construction strategies at the project level.
References
Akadiri, P. O., Chinyio, E. A., & Olomolaiye, P. O. (2020). Design of a sustainable building: A conceptual framework for implementing sustainability in the building sector. Buildings, 10(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10020015
Ajzen, I. (2020). The theory of planned behavior: Frequently asked questions. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2(4), 314–324. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.195
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328–352. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238
Cabeza, L. F., Barreneche, C., Miró, L., Morera, J. M., Bartolí, E., & Fernández, A. I. (2020). Low carbon and low embodied energy materials in buildings: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 23, 536–542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.03.017
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2023). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071873334
Darko, A., Chan, A. P. C., Yang, Y., Shan, M., He, B. J., & Gou, Z. (2020). Influences of barriers, drivers, and promotion strategies on green building technologies adoption in developing countries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 200, 687–703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.318
Ding, Z., Fan, Z., Tam, V. W. Y., Bian, Y., Li, S., Illankoon, I. M. C. S., & Moon, S. (2020). Green building evaluation system implementation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 259, 120889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120889
Flyvbjerg, B. (2021). Top ten behavioral biases in project management: An overview. Project Management Journal, 52(6), 531–546. https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728211059146
Guest, G., Namey, E., & Mitchell, M. (2020). Collecting and analyzing qualitative data at scale. The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, 5, 56–74. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506335117
Hjelmbrekke, H., Klakegg, O. J., Laedre, O., & Lohne, J. (2021). Governing value creation in construction project development. International Journal of Project Management, 32(4), 566–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2013.07.003
Hosseini, M. R., Chileshe, N., Jepson, J., Arashpour, M., & Khadem, M. (2021). Sustainability in construction projects: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 271, 122183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122183
Hwang, B. G., & Ng, W. J. (2021). Project management knowledge and skills for green construction. International Journal of Project Management, 31(2), 272–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2012.05.004
Kallio, H., Pietilä, A. M., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2020). Systematic methodological review: Developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(12), 2954–2965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13031
Loosemore, M., & Lim, B. T. H. (2022). Linking corporate social responsibility and organizational performance in the construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 40(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2021.1971854
Lycett, M., Rassau, A., & Danson, J. (2022). Digital innovation and project decision-making. International Journal of Project Management, 40(5), 407–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2022.03.004
Nguyen, H. T., Skitmore, M., Gray, M., Zhang, X., & Olanipekun, A. O. (2023). Will green building development take off? An exploratory study of barriers to green building in developing countries. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 127, 8–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.012
Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2021). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
Ozorhon, B., & Oral, K. (2023). Drivers of innovation in construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 143(4), 04016118. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001263
Söderlund, J., & Geraldi, J. (2021). Classics in project management: Revisiting the past, creating the future. International Journal of Project Management, 30(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2011.12.001
Too, E. G., & Weaver, P. (2021). The management of project management: A conceptual framework for project governance. International Journal of Project Management, 32(8), 1382–1394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2013.07.006
Tracy, S. J. (2020). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119409717
Turner, J. R., & Müller, R. (2021). The project manager’s leadership style as a success factor on projects. International Journal of Project Management, 23(1), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2004.04.003
Yin, R. K. (2022). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506336169
Zavadskas, E. K., Govindan, K., Antuchevičienė, J., & Turskis, Z. (2021). Hybrid multiple criteria decision-making methods. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 20(4), 353–369. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2016.1214092
Zuo, J., Zhao, Z. Y., Zillante, G., & Pullen, S. (2022). Leadership in sustainable construction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 66, 422–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.11.061
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sahrullah Sahrullah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.






























