Assessing the readiness for sustainable building material adoption: a study from construction organizations of different sizes

Purpose Sustainable building materials (SBMs) have recently been promoted to foster sustainable construction. While previous studies successfully presented the broad picture of SBM adoption, the question ‘What is the current state of SBM adoption in construction firms?’ was unanswered. Moreover, there is a lack of studies that investigate the impact of firm size on the adoption of SBMs. Therefore, this study aims to examine the level of readiness for SBM adoption in construction firms of different sizes. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on theoretical lenses and a review of previous studies, the study identified 20 factors affecting the readiness for SBM adoption. These factors were then grouped into market, organization, and employee readiness. Using the questionnaire survey, 229 valid responses were collected. The multiple pairwise comparison test showed significant differences in readiness for SBM adoption in firms of different sizes. The Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE) analysis was then used to assess the level of readiness for SBM adoption in construction firms of different sizes. Findings The analysis of FSE showed that large-sized companies demonstrated the highest level of readiness for SBM adoption, followed by medium-sized and small-sized firms, respectively. These findings imply that larger construction firms may have more resources and organizational capacity to adopt SBMs. Conversely, smaller firms may require additional support or incentives to enhance their readiness for SBM adoption. It also highlights the need for targeted interventions and policies to promote SBM adoption across medium-sized and small-sized firms. Moreover, while market readiness emerged as the least critical category, the findings highlight the pivotal role of employee readiness across all firm sizes. Originality/value These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing employee readiness initiatives to facilitate the successful adoption of SBMs. Policymakers and industry stakeholders may need to focus on developing training programs and awareness campaigns tailored to employees, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. Moreover, strategies to enhance market readiness should also be explored through regulatory measures and incentives to encourage the adoption of SBMs. Additionally, fostering collaboration and networking among stakeholders can further promote market readiness and accelerate the uptake of SBMs in the construction industry.