Mitigation Matrix for Improving Material Management Sustainability Within Construction in the Middle East

The construction industry in the Middle East faces significant challenges, including low productivity, substantial material waste, and inefficient deliveries, with limited research addressing the relationship between these challenges and critical success factors (CSFs). This study explored mitigation strategies to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability in the construction sector of the region. Using data from 92 questionnaires collected from industry stakeholders, descriptive and bivariate analyses were employed to identify correlations between variables using SPSS and Excel. The findings map out the challenges affecting material management and their correlation with CSFs, offering innovative solutions to address these issues. For example, this study highlights how poor communication leads to problems, such as change orders and inaccurate drawings, which can be mitigated by improving coordination and collaboration and adopting appropriate ICT tools. The practical mitigation matrix presented in this work provides actionable strategies for effectively overcoming challenges and implementing CSFs. While contextualised for the Middle East, the findings have broader relevance for global construction practices, with careful consideration required for application in different contexts. Importantly, this study advances sustainability by promoting resource efficiency, minimising waste, and fostering effective practices to support sustainable construction across the region.