A structural analysis of barriers to sustainable construction supply chains

The construction industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, underscoring the urgency of adopting Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) to advance sustainability. Despite its importance, GSCM adoption in construction remains limited, particularly in developing countries. This study systematically identifies and models the barriers hindering GSCM implementation in the construction industry, using Iran as a case study. A mixed-method approach was applied, integrating expert interviews with Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis to capture both qualitative insights and quantitative interdependencies. Sixteen interrelated barriers were identified and hierarchically structured into a ten-level model. Results indicate that the lack of governmental support and incentives (B3) acts as the most critical driver at the top of the hierarchy, influencing nearly all other factors. Barriers such as the absence of green experts (B1), lack of green suppliers (B4), and limited knowledge and awareness (B12) were found to hold high driving power, while issues like stakeholder collaboration (B7) and managerial commitment (B8) were highly dependent outcomes. The ISM-MICMAC framework thus highlights how systemic and structural deficiencies shape GSCM adoption. By offering a data-driven structural model tailored to the construction context, this study provides both theoretical advancement and practical guidance for policymakers and industry leaders seeking to prioritize interventions that enhance sustainability in Construction Supply Chains (CSCs). ● Identify key barriers impacting green supply chains in construction. ● Apply structural analytics to map barrier influence and dependency. ● Reveal government support as a critical factor in supply chain sustainability. ● Highlight the role of expert knowledge in advancing sustainable supply chains. ● Provide actionable insights for managing barriers in construction supply chains.