IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i12p5491-d1678920.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Towards an Integrated Socio-Ecological Approach in Green Building Transitions: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Jingqing Hong

    (Department of Real Estate & Construction, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Isabelle Chan

    (Department of Real Estate & Construction, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Pei Ma

    (Department of Real Estate & Construction, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

Abstract

In view of the growing interest in green building transitions (GBTs) over the past decade, various GBT frameworks have been developed. Concurrently, a comprehensive systematic review of GBT research is yet to be conducted, leaving ambiguity surrounding the evolution and adoption of diverse models in this field. In general, existing frameworks mainly adopt socio-technical or socio-institutional approaches. Focusing on different individual practices, these studies have resulted in fragmented results. There is a lack of an integrative understanding of the socio-ecology of the GBT system. Hence, this study aims to consolidate existing research works conducted in the GBT fields and develop an integrative GBT framework towards a socio-ecological approach. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative content analysis with quantitative bibliometric methods. The findings indicated that qualitative approaches (constituting 47%, encompassing 34 articles) and modeling techniques (comprising 37%, amounting to 27 articles) emerged as the predominant research methodologies employed. Evolutionary game theory and the multi-level perspective stood out as the most prevalent theoretical frameworks utilized in studies of GBT. Noteworthy contributions to the field were observed from China (with 29 articles) and the UK (with 17 articles). Notable keywords such as “barriers” (frequency = 16) and “energy” (frequency = 11) were identified as pivotal in the analysis. Furthermore, a total of ten co-occurrence clusters were identified to classify related keywords, enhancing content relevance and pinpointing key thematic groupings. The findings highlighted the need for a new direction in future GBT research, specifically focusing on the socio-ecological perspective. This perspective not only focuses on the human dimension of technical and institutional factors but also on the exchange between the ecosystem and society. It also emphasizes the resilience and adaptability to absorb disruptions and progress towards a more desired system state. This study offers valuable contributions to the existing body of GBT literature and has implications for researchers and research institutions in this field.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingqing Hong & Isabelle Chan & Pei Ma, 2025. "Towards an Integrated Socio-Ecological Approach in Green Building Transitions: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-34, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5491-:d:1678920
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5491/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5491/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhao, Yu & Gao, Gege & Zhang, Jixiang & Yu, Miao, 2024. "Impact of carbon tax on green building development: An evolutionary game analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    2. Shaoliang Li & Xiazhong Zheng & Qin Zeng, 2023. "Can Green Finance Drive the Development of the Green Building Industry?—Based on the Evolutionary Game Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Hilde Nykamp, 2020. "Policy Mix for a Transition to Sustainability: Green Buildings in Norway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Sun, Chuanwang & Xu, Zhehong & Zheng, Hongwei, 2023. "Green transformation of the building industry and the government policy effects: Policy simulation based on the DSGE model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    5. Chaomei Chen, 2006. "CiteSpace II: Detecting and visualizing emerging trends and transient patterns in scientific literature," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 57(3), pages 359-377, February.
    6. Nelson, Richard R. & Winter, Sidney G., 1993. "In search of useful theory of innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 108-108, April.
    7. Danlei Zhang & Yong He, 2022. "The Roles and Synergies of Actors in the Green Building Transition: Lessons from Singapore," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.
    8. Yujing Si & Yi Yang & Ze Shao, 2025. "Green Building Design and Sustainable Development Optimization Strategy Based on Evolutionary Game Theory Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-19, March.
    9. Xinwei Su & Xi Li & Yanxin Kang, 2019. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Intangible Cultural Heritage Using CiteSpace," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(2), pages 21582440198, April.
    10. Riccardo Boero & Flaminio Squazzoni, 2005. "Does Empirical Embeddedness Matter? Methodological Issues on Agent-Based Models for Analytical Social Science," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 8(4), pages 1-6.
    11. Elizabeth Shove & Gordon Walker, 2008. "Transition Managementâ„¢ and the Politics of Shape Shifting," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 40(4), pages 1012-1014, April.
    12. Vito Albino & Umberto Berardi, 2012. "Green Buildings and Organizational Changes in Italian Case Studies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(6), pages 387-400, September.
    13. Smith, Adrian & Voß, Jan-Peter & Grin, John, 2010. "Innovation studies and sustainability transitions: The allure of the multi-level perspective and its challenges," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 435-448, May.
    14. Lachman, Daniël A., 2013. "A survey and review of approaches to study transitions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 269-276.
    15. Markard, Jochen & Raven, Rob & Truffer, Bernhard, 2012. "Sustainability transitions: An emerging field of research and its prospects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 955-967.
    16. Österblom, H. & Gårdmark, A. & Bergström, L. & Müller-Karulis, B. & Folke, C. & Lindegren, M. & Casini, M. & Olsson, P. & Diekmann, R. & Blenckner, T. & Humborg, C. & Möllmann, C., 2010. "Making the ecosystem approach operational--Can regime shifts in ecological- and governance systems facilitate the transition?," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1290-1299, November.
    17. Roine Leiringer, 2020. "Sustainable Construction through Industry Self-Regulation: The Development and Role of Building Environmental Assessment Methods in Achieving Green Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-16, October.
    18. Qingfeng Meng & Hongming Zhu & Zhen Li & Jianguo Du & Xiangyu Wang & Mi Jeong Kim, 2018. "How Green Building Product Decisions from Customers Can Be Transitioned to Manufacturers: An Agent-Based Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-16, October.
    19. Christoph Görg & Ulrich Brand & Helmut Haberl & Diana Hummel & Thomas Jahn & Stefan Liehr, 2017. "Challenges for Social-Ecological Transformations: Contributions from Social and Political Ecology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-21, June.
    20. Yu Cao & Cong Xu & Syahrul Nizam Kamaruzzaman & Nur Mardhiyah Aziz, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Green Building Development in China: Advantages, Challenges and Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-29, September.
    21. Sedlacek, Sabine & Maier, Gunther, 2012. "Can green building councils serve as third party governance institutions? An economic and institutional analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 479-487.
    22. Jain, Mansi & Siva, Vidushini & Hoppe, Thomas & Bressers, Hans, 2020. "Assessing governance of low energy green building innovation in the building sector: Insights from Singapore and Delhi," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    23. Vidushini Siva & Thomas Hoppe & Mansi Jain, 2017. "Green Buildings in Singapore; Analyzing a Frontrunner’s Sectoral Innovation System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-23, May.
    24. Mostafa J. Sabbagh & Osama E. Mansour & Abdulaziz A. Banawi, 2019. "Grease the Green Wheels: A Framework for Expediting the Green Building Movement in the Arab World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-13, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cheng Wang & Tao Lv & Rongjiang Cai & Jianfeng Xu & Liya Wang, 2022. "Bibliometric Analysis of Multi-Level Perspective on Sustainability Transition Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-31, March.
    2. Kuokkanen, A. & Nurmi, A. & Mikkilä, M. & Kuisma, M. & Kahiluoto, H. & Linnanen, L., 2018. "Agency in regime destabilization through the selection environment: The Finnish food system’s sustainability transition," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8), pages 1513-1522.
    3. Pesch, Udo, 2015. "Tracing discursive space: Agency and change in sustainability transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 90(PB), pages 379-388.
    4. Schot, Johan & Kanger, Laur, 2018. "Deep transitions: Emergence, acceleration, stabilization and directionality," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(6), pages 1045-1059.
    5. Gianluca Stefani & Mario Biggeri & Lucia Ferrone, 2022. "Sustainable Transitions Narratives: An Analysis of the Literature through Topic Modelling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-25, February.
    6. Hamid El Bilali, 2019. "The Multi-Level Perspective in Research on Sustainability Transitions in Agriculture and Food Systems: A Systematic Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-24, April.
    7. 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.
    8. Monk, Alexander & Perkins, Richard, 2020. "What explains the emergence and diffusion of green bonds?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    9. Valeria Borsellino & Emanuele Schimmenti & Hamid El Bilali, 2020. "Agri-Food Markets towards Sustainable Patterns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-35, March.
    10. Jenkins, Kirsten & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & McCauley, Darren, 2018. "Humanizing sociotechnical transitions through energy justice: An ethical framework for global transformative change," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 66-74.
    11. Huguenin, Ariane & Jeannerat, Hugues, 2017. "Creating change through pilot and demonstration projects: Towards a valuation policy approach," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 624-635.
    12. Frantzeskaki, Niki & Thissen, Wil & Grin, John, 2016. "Drifting between transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 275-286.
    13. Hamid El Bilali, 2020. "Transition heuristic frameworks in research on agro-food sustainability transitions," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1693-1728, March.
    14. Bolton, Ronan & Hannon, Matthew, 2016. "Governing sustainability transitions through business model innovation: Towards a systems understanding," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(9), pages 1731-1742.
    15. Zhu, Bing & Nguyen, Mai & Sarm Siri, Nang & Malik, Ashish, 2022. "Towards a transformative model of circular economy for SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 545-555.
    16. Jordi Molas-Gallart & Alejandra Boni & Sandro Giachi & Johan Schot, 2021. "A formative approach to the evaluation of Transformative Innovation Policies [The Need for Reflexive Evaluation Approaches in Development Cooperation]," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 30(4), pages 431-442.
    17. Petersen, Alexander M. & Rotolo, Daniele & Leydesdorff, Loet, 2016. "A triple helix model of medical innovation: Supply, demand, and technological capabilities in terms of Medical Subject Headings," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 666-681.
    18. Avelino, Flor & Wittmayer, Julia M. & Pel, Bonno & Weaver, Paul & Dumitru, Adina & Haxeltine, Alex & Kemp, René & Jørgensen, Michael S. & Bauler, Tom & Ruijsink, Saskia & O'Riordan, Tim, 2019. "Transformative social innovation and (dis)empowerment," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 195-206.
    19. Souzanchi Kashani, Ebrahim & Roshani, Saeed, 2019. "Evolution of innovation system literature: Intellectual bases and emerging trends," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 68-80.
    20. Catia Milena Lopes & Annibal José Scavarda & Mauricio Nunes Macedo de Carvalho & André Luis Korzenowski, 2018. "The Business Model and Innovation Analyses: The Sustainable Transition Obstacles and Drivers for the Hospital Supply Chains," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-17, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5491-:d:1678920. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.