Construction sustainability: attitudes, practices, and performance in Indonesian firms

Abstract Paper aims This study explores sustainability adoption in Indonesian construction firms by (a) describing current levels of the three sustainability pillars, (b) analyzing associations between key variables influencing sustainability performance, and (c) providing managerial insights and recommendations for improving sustainable construction practices in Indonesia. Originality It extends the literature by proposing and testing a theoretical model that explains the interaction between sustainability attitudes, practices, and performance, tailored to the Indonesian construction context. Research method A cross-sectional, self-administered survey targeted Indonesian construction firms, achieving a 22.8% response rate with 104 usable responses. Moderation analysis evaluated the association of ‘sustainability attitudes’ and ‘sustainability performance’ with ‘management practices’ as the moderating variable. Main findings Management practices partially moderate the association between sustainability attitudes and performance. Firms prioritize compliance-driven environmental sustainability, internal stakeholder well-being, and short-term economic benefits but lack strategic vision and sustainability teams. Implications for theory and practice The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of sustainability performance in construction by extending the Attitude–Behavior (A–B) framework to a firm-level context. It also addresses practical gaps in sustainability practices among firms in emerging economies. Findings highlight Indonesian construction firms’ priorities and challenges, guiding intervention strategies such as policy reforms, market incentives, and capacity-building programs.