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Article
Publication date: 25 July 2023

Mohammed A. Alsanad

The present study focused on examining the effect of treated wastewater (TWW) on soil chemical properties. Also, efforts were made to compare the soil chemical properties under…

Abstract

Purpose

The present study focused on examining the effect of treated wastewater (TWW) on soil chemical properties. Also, efforts were made to compare the soil chemical properties under TWW irrigation with that under groundwater (GW).

Design/methodology/approach

During the years 2021 and 2022, surface and subsurface soil samples were randomly collected in triplicate by using an auger fortnightly at two depths (20 and 40 cm) from the selected spot areas to represent the different types of irrigation water sources: TWW and GW. Samples of the GW and the TWW were collected for analysis.

Findings

This study examines the impact of TWW on soil characteristics and the surrounding environment. TWW use enhances soil organic matter, nutrient availability and salt redistribution, while reducing calcium carbonate accumulation in the topsoil. However, it negatively affects soil pH, electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio, although remaining within acceptable limits. Generally, irrigating with TWW improves most soil chemical properties compared to GW.

Originality/value

In general, almost all of the soil’s chemical properties were improved by irrigating with TWW rather than GW. Following that, wastewater is used to irrigate the soil. Additionally, the application of gypsum to control the K/Na and Ca/Na ratios should be considered under long-term TWW and GW usage in this study area in order to control the salt accumulation as well as prevent soil conversion to saline-sodic soil in the future. However, more research is needed to thoroughly investigate the long-term effects of using TWW on soil properties as well as heavy metal accumulation in soil.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 August 2019

Redhwan Mohammed Saleh and Abdullah Al-Swidi

It is widely known that carbon dioxide emissions and climate change are among the most critical global challenges. These issues were worsened partly by the continuous adoption of…

Abstract

Purpose

It is widely known that carbon dioxide emissions and climate change are among the most critical global challenges. These issues were worsened partly by the continuous adoption of traditional non-green behaviors and practices in the construction sector. As both environmental and health-related practices continue to worsen, practitioners, researchers and government think tanks are taking a major shift to promote green building practices (GBP). The purpose of this paper is to examine and investigate the effects of several environment-related variables such as sustainable government support, environmental concern and green engagement in the adoption of GBP.

Design/methodology/approach

The model of the study was developed based on the integration of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), value-belief-norm and cognition-affective behavior (CAB). The instrument used to capture these constructs was adapted from existing validated instruments. The data were collected from Qatar-based consultant and contractor engineers. Of the 877 questionnaires distributed, 378 were completed which yields a response rate of 43 percent. The collected data were analyzed by employing the PLS-SEM approach. First, the measurement model was examined to confirm the validity and reliability of the measures. Next, the structural model was analyzed to test the hypotheses of the study.

Findings

The results of the study showed that environment-related variables such as green engagement, sustainable government support and environmental concern have strong effects on GBP along with other TPB variables, namely, subjective norms and attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

Although the objectives of the study were achieved, there are still some limitations. First, this study yields a deemed suitable response rate. Second, since this research focused solely on the view of the contractors and consultants of the country’s engineering sector, it may have narrowed down the real scenario.

Practical implications

Besides the government providing awareness campaigns on the importance of GBP in reducing pollution, the government may also set some regulations to be followed by construction companies to reduce the negative impacts on the environment and regulations that could motivate the decision makers to increase the green construction projects and practices. In addition, the engineers still need some supports from green building authorities and government to motivate them toward GBP. Some incentives that could be offered by the government are financial allowances, funding and reduced governmental fees.

Originality/value

This study has a great theoretical value since it extended the TPB by incorporating some important environment-related variables to explain the adoption of GBP. In addition, from the practical perspective, this study provides useful insights for the practitioners and policy makers who are concerned about designing and planning environment-friendly strategies in the sector of construction.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 June 2023

Oluwaseun Enoch Akindele, Saheed Ajayi, Luqman Toriola-Coker, Adekunle Sabitu Oyegoke, Hafiz Alaka and Sambo Lyson Zulu

Amidst all solutions posited to address sustainable construction practices in Nigeria, the implementation plans are repudiated by sustainable barriers. This study examines and…

Abstract

Purpose

Amidst all solutions posited to address sustainable construction practices in Nigeria, the implementation plans are repudiated by sustainable barriers. This study examines and confirms the strategy with the most significant impacts on the identified barrier to sustainable construction practice (SCP).

Design/methodology/approach

The study deployed a questionnaire survey to evaluate the perspective of 100 construction actors on the barriers and strategies of sustainable construction practice in Nigeria. Factor Analysis was employed to categorize key barriers and strategies into their underlying clusters for further analysis. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to confirm the construct's significant relationship and magnitude, thereby establishing the strategies with the highest impacts on the barriers to sustainable construction practices.

Findings

The findings revealed three clusters of barriers and four groups of strategies to SCP, including technopolitic barrier, perception and awareness barrier and sociocultural barrier. For the significant strategies, education and training, stakeholder regulation, incentive support and government and legislative support strategies were established. Overall, education and training strategy was identified as the most dominant and effective strategy to mitigate the barriers of SCP in Nigeria.

Originality/value

The paper establishes education and training as the key strategy to achieving sustainable quest in the AEC industry. The practical implication is that policymakers, educators and professional bodies can harness sustainable knowledge transfer through education and training to improve sustainable construction practices in Nigeria.

Details

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-124X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 July 2018

Adnan Enshassi, Abed Ayash and Sherif Mohamed

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors driving Palestinian construction contractors to implement energy management strategies during the execution of construction…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors driving Palestinian construction contractors to implement energy management strategies during the execution of construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted by administering a questionnaire that comprised 26 drivers for adopting energy management strategies. Data were collected from 67 contractors in the Gaza Strip. Factor analysis was adopted to explore the underlying relationships among the identified drivers.

Findings

Drivers were grouped into one of the four categories: economic and financial, institutional and legal, organisational and managerial and educational and informational. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents were of the view that economic and financial factors were the most important factors driving the adoption of energy management strategies by construction companies in the Gaza Strip. Of the economic and financial drivers, the cost savings derived from the adoption of energy management strategies was considered the most important item. Energy management education and training programmes are scarce in the Gaza Strip, and local contractors have no formal energy management education and training. The government needs to allocate sufficient funds for policy implementation and regulation enforcement.

Research limitations/implications

Difficulties in accessing energy management data are deemed as a limitation to this study, as the topic of energy management in the construction has received no or very little academic attention so far.

Practical implications

This study provides a valuable reference for studying ongoing research in the practice of energy management development in other industries and locations. The priority of the drivers for energy management will help the local contracting companies to focus on weak and strong points of the company for energy use development to remove these weak points and invest in strong points. This paper results can increase the encouragement for greater social responsibility of the contracting organisations towards energy use. Government and concerned organisations can get benefits from the identified factors in encouraging contractors to adopt energy management strategy in their projects.

Originality/value

This study is the first investigation of energy management aspects in a local construction industry, especially from contracting organisations.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 May 2020

Frank Ato Ghansah, De-Graft Owusu-Manu and Joshua Ayarkwa

The necessity for sustainable development and high building performance has led to the adoption of smart building technologies (SBTs) in the construction community. The SBTs…

1074

Abstract

Purpose

The necessity for sustainable development and high building performance has led to the adoption of smart building technologies (SBTs) in the construction community. The SBTs adoption has been hindered in many different parts of the world due to several constraints underpinning the project management processes to help adopt SBTs. This paper presents a systematic review of relevant literature on barriers underpinning the project management processes on the adoption of SBTs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a systematic review of relevant literature on barriers to technology adoption published in academic peer-reviewed journals and conference papers. The study adopted a systematic review technique on 56 relevant articles and conference papers in relation to barriers to adoption of technology, and barrier frequency was employed to select the most reported barriers.

Findings

The study revealed the most reported barriers underpinning project management process towards SBTs adoption, which include lengthy approval process for new SBTs, structure and organization of the construction industry, higher cost for smart construction practices and materials, unfamiliarity with smart building technology and technical difficulty during construction process.

Practical implications

To both the industry practitioners and policymakers, this review provides a valuable reference during implementation. Also, to the academic scholars on embarking on further empirical studies, the developed checklist of SBTs barriers could be important and useful.

Originality/value

This study has contributed to the knowledge of barriers underpinning the project management processes on SBTs adoption by identifying the most reported barriers in literature.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2024

Ibrahim Elassal, Esraa Elmallwany and Ahmed Hammad

The alternative medical practices of both Ottoman and Andalusian heritages could be shown through bloodletting and cupping therapies that have been utilized in various ancient…

Abstract

Purpose

The alternative medical practices of both Ottoman and Andalusian heritages could be shown through bloodletting and cupping therapies that have been utilized in various ancient civilizations. The current study endeavors to explore the historical implementation of bloodletting as a sustainable medical heritage by Muslim physicians in the Andalusian and Ottoman empires as a part of their surgical heritage that is documented in their manuscripts and miniatures.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary research materials utilized in this case study are the copy of the manuscript Al-Tasrif li-man ‘Ajiza ‘an al-Taʾlif in Berlin library and the copy of the manuscript Cerrahiye-I Ilhaniye of the National Library in Paris. The study applies an analytical comparative approach to examine the practice of bloodletting by two Muslim physicians as a part of reviving heritage usage.

Findings

The present study investigates the heritage in both periods throughout implementation of cupping therapy by Al-Zahrawi and Sabuncuoglu, while also examining the resemblances and divergences in the techniques of bloodletting as a heritage medical treatment employed by these Muslim physicians and still used in Muslim culture and could be used in medical tourism purposes.

Originality/value

The current study aims to investigate the understanding and implementation of heritage bloodletting and cupping therapy as a sustainable tool in surgical purposes, through an exploration of treatment methods detailed in both manuscripts. Additionally, it examines the contributions made by the two surgeons toward the development of new cups and the refinement of processes involved in bloodletting and cupping therapy. Furthermore, the study highlights the locations where cupping can be performed and differentiates between dry and wet cupping techniques, as depicted in the painted instruments documented in both manuscripts.

Details

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2021

Frank Ato Ghansah, De-Graft Owusu-Manu, Joshua Ayarkwa, David John Edwards and M. Reza Hosseini

While smart building technologies (SBTs) implementation ensures sustainability, their adoption is hampered by latent barriers, especially in project management processes. These…

Abstract

Purpose

While smart building technologies (SBTs) implementation ensures sustainability, their adoption is hampered by latent barriers, especially in project management processes. These latent barriers must be addressed to facilitate the successful and widespread adoption of SBTs. Therefore, this study aims to explore the significant latent barriers inhibiting the project management processes in adopting SBTs in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A positivist research philosophy couched within a deductive approach was adopted to undertake a quantitative questionnaire survey of 227 project management and design team participants. Descriptive and inferential analytical tools (including a one sample T-test and exploratory factor analysis) were then adopted to interpret data collected.

Findings

The results reveal that the “high cost of smart sustainable materials and equipment” is the major significant barrier hindering the adoption of SBTs in developing countries. Latent barriers were: “structure and time-related barriers,” “construction-related barriers” and “human, policy and cost-related barriers”.

Originality/value

The study contributes novel insights into the prevailing nascent discourse on SBTs from the perspectives of construction project managers and design teams in developing countries, particularly. Furthermore, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that ascertains the significant barriers inhibiting project management processes in adopting SBTs in developing countries.

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