Barriers to implementing Sustainable Development Goals in Vietnamese construction firms

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a pivotal force driving sustainable growth and responsible practices in the construction industry worldwide. This comprehensive study aims to identify the specific barriers to SDG implementation in Vietnamese construction companies. Through a comprehensive literature review and in-depth expert interviews with industry professionals, a detailed questionnaire was systematically developed and distributed to 260 professionals within Vietnam’s construction sector. The collected survey data were rigorously analysed using explanatory factor analysis, which successfully identified six key factors influencing SDG adoption. To further confirm the structural validity of these factors, confirmatory factor analysis was subsequently conducted, followed by structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis. The SEM results clearly highlighted three critical factors – material, management, and training – as having a significant impact on decision making related to SDG adoption in construction firms. This research provides valuable insights into the complex challenges faced by Vietnamese construction firms in integrating the SDGs and offers a comprehensive framework that can inform similar initiatives in other developing countries.