Organizational Factors Affecting the Usage of Sustainable Building Materials in the Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

The practice of sustainability in construction is paramount to the preservation of the built environment which is lacking in Nigeria. The study seeks to identify the organizational factors affecting the use of sustainable building materials in the Nigerian construction industry from the perception of the contractors and professionals. A survey research was conducted for data collection with a structured questionnaire between thirty (30) professionals and thirty (30) contractors. The data collected was analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study shows that lack of awareness and knowledge of construction personnel, cost and economic viability, passive culture or norm, top management commitment, organizational goal and objectives were the internal organizational factors militating against the practice. While the external factors militating against the practice were research and development, Knowledge and skill of personnel, learning period, and local authority and government. The hypotheses revealed that there is no agreement between the internal factors affecting the contractors and professional firms on the practice. But there is an agreement between the external factors affecting the two types of firms. The study reveals the factors that militate against the practice of sustainability, this will allow the stakeholders to focus on the cogent issues to encourage and sustain the practice within an organizational level. The practice will benefit the built environment and the eco-system through the preservation of natural resources.