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Sustainability in Construction Projects: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

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  • Reza Kiani Mavi

    (School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Denise Gengatharen

    (School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Neda Kiani Mavi

    (School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Richard Hughes

    (School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Alistair Campbell

    (School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Ross Yates

    (School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the major research concepts studied in the literature of sustainability in construction projects. Two bibliometric analysis tools—(a) BibExcel and (b) Gephi, were used to analyze the bibliometrics indices of papers and visualize their interrelations as a network, respectively. Therefore, a research focus parallelship network (RFPN) analysis and keyword co-occurrence network (KCON) analysis were performed to uncover the primary research themes. The RFPN analysis clustered the studies into three major categories of evaluating sustainability, project management for sustainability, and drivers of sustainable construction. The KCON analysis revealed that while each paper had a different focus, the underlying concept of all clusters was sustainability, construction, and project management. We found that while ‘sustainability’ was the leading keyword in the first cluster, i.e., evaluating sustainability, it was the second top keyword with the eigenvector centrality of over 0.94 in the other two clusters. We also found that the concept of sustainability should be included in construction projects from the early stages of design and feasibility studies and must be monitored throughout the project life. This review showed that previous researchers used a variety of statistical and mathematical techniques such as structural equation modelling and fuzzy decision-making methods to study sustainability in construction projects. Using an integrated approach to identifying the research gaps in this area, this paper provides researchers with insights on how to frame new research to study sustainability in construction projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Reza Kiani Mavi & Denise Gengatharen & Neda Kiani Mavi & Richard Hughes & Alistair Campbell & Ross Yates, 2021. "Sustainability in Construction Projects: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1932-:d:497541
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    6. Raluca Buzatu & Viorel Ungureanu & Adrian Ciutina & Mihăiţă Gireadă & Daniel Vitan & Ioan Petran, 2021. "Experimental Evaluation of Energy-Efficiency in a Holistically Designed Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    7. Qilong Cao & Meng Ju & Jinglei Li & Changbao Zhong, 2022. "Managerial Myopia and Long-Term Investment: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    8. Lorena Cadavid & Kathleen Salazar-Serna, 2021. "Mapping the Research Landscape for the Motorcycle Market Policies: Sustainability as a Trend—A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-22, September.
    9. Luis Felipe Cândido & Jose Carlos Lazaro & Adriano Olivier de Freitas e Silva & José de Paula Barros Neto, 2023. "Sustainability Transitions in the Construction Sector: A Bibliometric Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-26, August.
    10. Nicola Baldo & Fabio Rondinella & Fabiola Daneluz & Marco Pasetto, 2022. "Foamed Bitumen Mixtures for Road Construction Made with 100% Waste Materials: A Laboratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-12, May.
    11. Chisomo Kapatsa & Neema Kavishe & Godwin Maro & Sam Zulu, 2023. "The Identification of Sustainability Assessment Indicators for Road Infrastructure Projects in Tanzania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-15, October.
    12. Shabnam Arabpour & Gilbert Silvius, 2023. "Sustainability Interventions of Construction Project Managers—Establishing a Minimum Baseline," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-22, June.
    13. Ivona Ivić & Anita Cerić, 2023. "Risks Caused by Information Asymmetry in Construction Projects: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-25, June.

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