Exploring sustainable post-end-of-life of building operations

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the synergies between post-end-of-life of building (PEoLB) concepts and operations to achieve sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using 65 articles published between 2006 and 2017, and it has been subjected to descriptive and thematic analysis. Findings The descriptive analysis revealed that the majority of the articles were about (60 per cent) PEoLB operations, followed by (23 per cent) PEoLB concepts. Only 17 per cent of the articles have dealt with PEoLB-related strategic approaches. The thematic analysis elaborated on the literature development; interrelationships between PEoLB concepts and operations; impediments of introducing sustainability on these operations, remedial measures and information-based strategic approaches to achieve sustainability. Based on the findings, a conceptual framework for sustainable PEoLB operations is proposed. Furthermore, four areas of potential future research are discussed. Research limitations/implications This study presents a future research agenda including best practices to plan PEoLB operations and the development of optimisation models, risk management and information-based strategic approaches. Practical implications The proposed conceptual research framework triggers and nurtures potential pathways to introduce sustainable PEoLB operations under sound information flow. This could create a basis for future empirical studies in filling the identified gaps in literature. The framework could also assist practitioners in mitigating risks associated with transportation, storing and contamination of salvaged materials through enhanced information flow. In addition, the framework provides some managerial guidance to organisations seeking ways of establishing sustainability during reverse logistics (RL) operations. Originality/value This paper presents an SLR of an emerging area of research that encapsulates closed-loop supply chain through sustainable RL operations. The study highlights the interrelationships between PEoLB concepts and operations. It develops a robust approach to effectively manage the PEoLB operations underpinned by a sound information flow to facilitate sustainability.

Quality assurance in reverse logistics supply chain of demolition waste: A systematic literature review

“…There are 86 journal articles, four conference papers and one book chapter. The majority of the articles were published in journals such as Resources, Conservation & Recycling (11), Waste Management (11) and Journal of Cleaner Production (9), which is far more similar to the findings of SLRs on RLSC of DW by Jayasinghe et al (2019aJayasinghe et al ( , 2019b. All conference papers are also from proceedings of peer-reviewed international conferences.…”

“…These search engines hold the largest repositories of publications related to interdisciplinary research areas (Durach et al, 2015). They are also readily available at academic institutions (Ali et al, 2017) and have been used by previous reviews (Ali et al, 2017;Hosseini et al, 2014;Jayasinghe et al, 2019aJayasinghe et al, , 2019bSeuring and Müller, 2008).…”

“…For instance, Hosseini et al (2014) established the basic theory of RLSC in the CI based on the lessons learned from the manufacturing industry. Jayasinghe et al (2019a) explored the RLSC process comprehensively while exploring the interactions between post-EoL concepts, operations and strategic approaches. These reviews provide insight into the previous research on fundamental aspects of RLSC in the CI.…”

A Novel Taxonomy for Risks in Agribusiness Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The initial search was conducted in December 2020, using various electronic databases, including Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, Emerald Insight, Science Direct, Taylor and Francis, and Google Scholar. The main reason for using these databases is that they are considered extensive, are available at academic institutions [25,26] and have been used by previous reviews [25][26][27][28]. The search strings were formed by connecting the keywords using Boolean connectors such as "OR" and "AND" to enable an advanced search for the review.…”

Information processing for end-of-life coordination: a multiple-case study

“…These reverse logistics processes have yet to become common practice in construction because of barriers at industry, organization and project levels (Chileshe et al , 2016b). Jayasinghe et al (2019, p. 705) relate those barriers to a lack of information and collaboration and suggest that “a sound information flow” is key in end-of-life coordination. Demolition contractors consequently need to deal with uncertainty to capture the benefits of (more) sustainable end-of-life strategies.…”