Short answer
Designers and businesses in the construction sector should proactively develop strategies for material reuse and local circulation, anticipating that future disruptions will necessitate these approaches, but also recognize the need to influence policy and customer perception to enable this shift.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Sustainable Production and Consumption (2024)
- Method
- Qualitative study
- Sample
- 20 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Periods of significant supply chain disruption, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can act as catalysts for construction companies to explore and adopt circular economy practices, yet this transition is often hindered by a lack of enabling regulations and customer acceptance. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in Sustainable Production and Consumption. Using Qualitative study with 20 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and businesses in the construction sector should proactively develop strategies for material reuse and local circulation, anticipating that future disruptions will necessitate these approaches, but also recognize the need to influence policy and customer perception to enable this shift.
Supply chain disruptions can accelerate circular economy adoption in construction, but institutional support is crucial.
Periods of significant supply chain disruption, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can act as catalysts for construction companies to explore and adopt circular economy practices, yet this transition is often hindered by a lack of enabling regulations and customer acceptance.
Sustainable Production and Consumption · 2024
Key Findings
- 01Extraordinary supply chain disruptions can lead to diverse sourcing practices, some supporting circular economy (CE) adoption.
- 02A fundamental CE transition was suppressed by the lack of institutional enablement, specifically experienced regulations and customer priorities.
- 03Construction companies anticipate future regulations and customer priorities to promote CE adoption, creating a contradiction with current experiences.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and businesses in the construction sector should proactively develop strategies for material reuse and local circulation, anticipating that future disruptions will necessitate these approaches, but also recognize the need to influence policy and customer perception to enable this shift.
How to apply
When developing new construction materials or systems, consider modularity, disassembly, and the use of recycled or locally sourced components. Engage with stakeholders to understand regulatory hurdles and customer perceptions regarding sustainable building practices.
Project actions
- 01When researching material sourcing, consider how global events might impact availability and explore local alternatives.
- 02Investigate existing regulations and customer attitudes towards recycled or reused materials in your design context.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a qualitative insight into the complex interplay of external shocks and internal strategies for CE adoption.
- +Identifies a critical contradiction between anticipated and experienced institutional support for CE.
Limitations
The findings are specific to the construction industry in Finland and may not apply universally. The study relies on qualitative data, which can be subject to interpretation.
Reliability & validity
The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but may limit generalizability. Triangulation of data from multiple companies and analysis through an established theoretical lens (institutional theory) enhances validity.
Think critically
To what extent can individual design projects overcome systemic institutional barriers to circular economy adoption, or is broader societal and governmental action a prerequisite?
Design Principles
"Design for resilience and circularity by anticipating and leveraging external pressures, while actively working to shape the institutional landscape that supports sustainable practices."
Understanding the interplay between external shocks and internal business strategies is vital for designers and engineers. This insight highlights that while crises can force innovation towards sustainability, systemic change requires proactive policy and market development to overcome inertia and resistance.
What This Means for Your Design
Big problems with getting materials (like during COVID) can make construction companies try to reuse materials more. But, they can't fully switch to reusing things because the rules and what customers want don't support it yet, even though companies think they will in the future.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the external factors influencing design choices, particularly in relation to sustainability and supply chain resilience.
- 2.Use the findings to justify the exploration of circular economy principles in your design project, acknowledging potential barriers.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that while supply chain disruptions can create opportunities for adopting circular economy principles in construction, the transition is often impeded by a lack of supportive regulations and customer acceptance. Companies anticipate future institutional enablement, revealing a gap between current realities and future expectations, underscoring the need for proactive policy and market development to foster sustainable practices.
Source
Sustainable Production and Consumption
Extraordinary supply chain disruptions and the circular economy transition in the construction industry – An opportunity within crisis?
journal · 2024
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about supply chain disruptions can accelerate circular economy adoption in construction, but institutional support is crucial?
- Designers and businesses in the construction sector should proactively develop strategies for material reuse and local circulation, anticipating that future disruptions will necessitate these approaches, but also recognize the need to influence policy and customer perception to enable this shift. Evidence: Sustainable Production and Consumption (2024).
- Why does "Supply chain disruptions can accelerate circular economy adoption in construction, but institutional support is crucial." matter for design?
- Understanding the interplay between external shocks and internal business strategies is vital for designers and engineers. This insight highlights that while crises can force innovation towards sustainability, systemic change requires proactive policy and market development to overcome inertia and resistance.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and businesses in the construction sector should proactively develop strategies for material reuse and local circulation, anticipating that future disruptions will necessitate these approaches, but also recognize the need to influence policy and customer perception to enable this shift.
- What were the main findings?
- Extraordinary supply chain disruptions can lead to diverse sourcing practices, some supporting circular economy (CE) adoption.. A fundamental CE transition was suppressed by the lack of institutional enablement, specifically experienced regulations and customer priorities.. Construction companies anticipate future regulations and customer priorities to promote CE adoption, creating a contradiction with current experiences.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative study with 20 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2024 journal from Sustainable Production and Consumption.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing new construction materials or systems, consider modularity, disassembly, and the use of recycled or locally sourced components. Engage with stakeholders to understand regulatory hurdles and customer perceptions regarding sustainable building practices.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on Finnish construction companies and may not be generalizable to all regions or industries. The findings are based on experienced and anticipated institutional pressures, which are subjective.