A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling Analysis of the Primary Barriers to Sustainable Construction in Iran

Saeed Kamranfar, Farid Damirchi, Mitra Pourvaziri, Pardayev Abdunabi Xalikovich, Samira Mahmoudkelayeh, Reza Moezzi and Amir Vadiee ()
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Saeed Kamranfar: Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Farid Damirchi: Construction Engineering and Management, Department of Civil Engineering, Payame Noor University, Tehran 19395-4697, Iran
Mitra Pourvaziri: Department of Architecture, University of Tehran, Tehran 14395 515, Iran
Pardayev Abdunabi Xalikovich: Department of Accounting, Tashkent Institute of Finance, Tashkent 10012, Uzbekistan
Samira Mahmoudkelayeh: Department of Architecture, University of Tehran, Tehran 14395 515, Iran
Reza Moezzi: Association of Talent under Liberty in Technology (TULTECH), 10615 Tallinn, Estonia
Amir Vadiee: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University, 721 23 Vasteras, Sweden

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: This paper outlines the obstacles to sustainable construction growth in Iran and thereafter examines the effect and relation between these barriers and the direction of sustainable construction growth as one of the essential objectives for achieving sustainable cities and infrastructure. The study is applied for research purposes that are based on descriptive survey data gathering and correlational data analysis techniques. The statistical population for this study consists of 120 construction-related engineers and university professors who were assessed on a five-point Likert scale. Using SmartPLS software version 4, the responses to the questionnaire were examined. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov assessment was utilized to evaluate the normalcy of the variables, as this assessment is typically employed for this purpose. For data analysis, the PLS (partial least squares) method was used, while SEM (structural equation modeling) methods have been used to assess the study hypotheses. Cronbach’s alpha and the composite reliability coefficient (CR) were applied to determine the instrument’s viability, and the results show that the coefficient connected to all variables is above 7.0, which is an acceptable value. The AVE (average variance extracted) was also used to evaluate the questionnaire’s validity, which was greater than 0.4 and deemed acceptable for coefficients of significance (T-values), coefficient of predictive power (Q2), and coefficient of determination (R2). The obtained results support and confirm all research hypotheses, including that the identified obstacles directly affect the performance of sustainable construction. According to the results of the Friedman test, the legal restrictions variable (CL) is the most significant obstacle to sustainable construction in Iran, with a rank of 4.24. The indicators of political limits (CP) and social and cultural constraints (CSC) came in at second and third, respectively. The results could help government officials make better decisions about where to focus their attention and how to distribute scarce resources.

Keywords: sustainable development; sustainable construction; smartPLS; sustainability barrier (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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