Exploring stakeholder views on total construction and demolition waste management toward sustainability: A case from Vietnam

Construction and demolition waste negatively impacts the sustainable development of the construction industry. Furthermore, construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) still faces barriers in Vietnam, including lack of awareness and collaboration among stakeholders. This study aims to explore stakeholder views on sustainable CDWM in Vietnam based on a perspective of total quality management. A survey questionnaire focusing on stakeholders in the Vietnamese construction industry was developed. The stakeholders included: (1) direct stakeholders (owners, contractors, subcontractors, designers, consultants, suppliers, and waste management firms), (2) authorities, (3) institutes, educators, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), (4) end-users, and (5) society. The data from 126 valid responses were analyzed through multiple techniques including analysis of variance (ANOVA), Spearman's rank, Cronbach's alpha, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results revealed that stakeholders underestimated CDWM activities. The group of institutes, educators, and NGOs exhibited a more positive attitude, while the society group expressed a more negative attitude on CDWM issues. However, all stakeholders agreed that sustainable CDWM activities are essential for the Vietnamese construction industry. This study proposes and validates a sustainable CDWM framework, adapted from total quality management perspective to enhance stakeholder awareness and collaboration. This framework contributes to promoting comprehensive CDWM systems, offering a new approach to achieve sustainable development within the built environment.<i>Implications</i>: Theoretically, this study highlights the current context of construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) in Vietnam and the potential of integrating total quality management principles into CDWM to drive sustainability in the construction industry. Practically, the proposed framework provides a structured approach for authorities to enhance performance, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and promote sustainable CDWM practices. This study is expected to attract the attention of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in advancing waste management systems and sustainable construction management.