Critical Barriers to Environmental Management System Implementation in the Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

The impact of different hazardous substances of the construction industry being released to the environment is alarming. This constitutes an adverse effect on the quality of life of construction workers and the populace at large. To reduce this menace, Environmental Management System (EMS) was put in place. Meanwhile, the implementation of EMS in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI) is not certain. This study, therefore, investigated the barriers to EMS implementation in the NCI to group them into a smaller form, i.e., fewer numbers. A questionnaire survey was developed and administered to construction professionals in Nigeria using a purposive sampling technique. The retrieved 106 copies of the questionnaires were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean score, standard deviation, analysis of variance test, post hoc test, and exploratory factor analysis. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted three times to identify the critical barriers to EMS implementation in the NCI. The study findings reveal three main categories of barriers affecting EMS implementation, namely; (1) knowledge barrier; (2) process barrier; and(3) culture and management barrier. The study concluded that the three factors indicate the major cardinal barriers that could describe the impediment of EMS in the NCI. It was recommended that the training of construction professionals is important to enhance improvement culture in the NCI.

Characterisation of the drivers of environmental management system implementation

“…Interestingly, previous study revealed three critical impediments to EMS implementation in the NCI, namely, "knowledge barrier", "process barrier" and "culture and management barrier" (Ojo et al, 2021). Therefore, to avert these barriers, this study revealed the complementary drivers (intellectual enhancement strategies, documentation and cultural strategies, and motivation and tracking strategies) that could enhance EMS implementation in the NCI.…”

“…Thus, the need to investigate the drivers of EMS implementation in the NCI becomes imperative. In a recent study (Ojo et al, 2021), the barriers to implementation of EMS in the NCI were investigated. Ojo et al (2021) further suggested that complementary drivers of EMS implementation in NCI should also be investigated.…”

“…In a recent study (Ojo et al, 2021), the barriers to implementation of EMS in the NCI were investigated. Ojo et al (2021) further suggested that complementary drivers of EMS implementation in NCI should also be investigated. Against this background, it was thought significant to further investigate relevant drivers of EMS in the context of NCI.…”

“…It is worthy to note that previous studies addressed the barriers hindering EMS implementation for environmental sustainability in the NCI (Ojo et al, 2021;Ogunsanya et al, 2019;Owolana and Booth, 2016;Kola-Lawal et al, 2014). Whereas, studies on the drivers of EMS in the NCI are scarce.…”

Drivers of green supply chain management: a close-up study

“…Besides, in a situation where an organisation noticed that competitors have started exportation of goods and services; this could propel devising other sustainable methods in the production process. Therefore, training would help to ameliorate knowledge de ciencies which is a critical impediment to sustainability (Ojo et al, 2021).…”