Modular construction (MC) has gained attention due to its potential for fast construction, reduced construction waste, and lower environmental impact while having several other issues on stimulating sustainability. The circular economy (CE) focuses on better resource management through a closed-loop system. Even though MC enhances sustainable practice, several pitfalls barricade sustainability in MC (high initial investment, design consideration, and technology challenges). Nevertheless, the synergy between CE and MC has not been investigated in past studies to address the issues in MC to achieve sustainability. This study investigates the integration of CE principles in MC to enhance sustainability. This study used a qualitative approach via the Delphi technique by conducting three semi-structured expert interview rounds with the use of a purposive sampling method. The collected data were analysed using manual content analysis. This study identified nine notable issues in MC to achieve sustainability, and all CE 9-R (rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, recycle, and recover) principles could address those identified issues. Accordingly, thirty implementation strategies were recognised to fill the gap between the problems in MC and the potential of CE principles to solve the issues. The results provide insights for construction practitioners, policymakers, and researchers on integrating CE principles into MC processes to achieve sustainability goals. Ultimately, this study highlights the significance of a holistic approach by theoretically combining MC and CE principles as a benchmark for future studies. As a contribution, CE strives to make the planet a safe place to live by combatting resource depletion.

Purpose: A novel facet of the construction industry's (CI) digital transformation relates to the rise of smart contracts, and the contribution of blockchain technology in this domain appears to be nascent but rapidly gaining traction. Although the benefits of digitalisation for technologically less enthusiastic CI are irrefutable, the adoption of smart contracts has been found to be low pertaining to industry professionals' behavioural factors stimulated by technological perception. The challenge undertook by this study, therefore, is to develop a knowledge framework for blockchain-enabled smart contract adoption in the CI.Design/methodology/approach: From a methodological perspective, this study employed a qualitative approach that involved semi-structured interviews with ten (10) highly experienced CI practitioners involved in digital innovations for data collection. Directed content analysis was performed using NVivo 12 software, which enabled the creation of preliminary open codes. Subsequently, these open codes were grouped into similar categories to develop axial codes. Finally, the study presented final themes along with their corresponding descriptions.Findings: Notably, research findings expanded the current body of knowledge on perceived attributes and their measurement items to determine the perception of innovation adoption in CI, where a total of nine (9) perceived attributes were associated with thirty-two (32) measurement items.Originality/value: The measurement items were seen as having an extensive impact on the CI professionals' decision to adopt blockchain-enabled smart contracts. With ensuing implications, this study represents one of the first to present a knowledge framework exclusively customised for blockchain-enabled smart contracts, laying the groundwork for effective technological adoption by CI professionals.

Relocatable Modular Building (RMB) technology is widely utilised worldwide as a versatile solution for temporary shelter needs, including site offices. The substantial cost benefits associated with RMBs have been acknowledged globally. Nevertheless, the lack of empirical data hampers the ability to substantiate the cost advantages of utilising RMB technology. Therefore, the study aimed to find the cost benefits of RMB technology for temporary offices on construction sites in Sri Lanka through Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA). From a methodological perspective, the research adopted a case study strategy. Data was mainly collected through semi-structured interviews, document reviews, and market surveys while following LCCA as the analysis method to derive findings. The findings disclosed that the initial cost of an RMB site office is 32% higher than a conventional site office, but the annual cost saving is 23%. Hence, it is worth investing in RMB because of its yearly cost saving due to its long life span and higher salvage value. Sensitivity analysis further established that employing an RMB is more cost-effective for contractors even at different discount rates, functional lifetimes, and project durations. This study enlightens construction industry practitioners about the cost-effective utilisation of RMBsin their projects.

Infrastructure development can be identified as a key driver of economic growth. Most developing countries have prioritised implementing new procurement arrangements to execute public infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle efficiently. Private Public Partnership (PPP) procurement arrangement is one of the popular procurement arrangements, which can be classified as solicited proposals (SPs) and unsolicited proposals (USPs). Most countries have adopted USP for infrastructure projects among those two arrangements. Nevertheless, USPs have several drawbacks than SPs, such as corruption, low social and economic benefits, low value for money, and lack of transparency. However, governments are still developing their infrastructure projects as USPs due to the government's motivational aspects towards them. Therefore, it is controversial how those motivations have a huge impact than drawbacks in implementing USPs. Thus, this study aims to investigate the motivation for implementing USPs specific to the Sri Lankan context. Accordingly, a qualitatively based extensive literature synthesis has been conducted concerning the practices of USPs. Following the qualitative approach, data were collected through twelve (12) semi-structured interviews with industry professionals familiar with USPs implementation. The findings revealed that governments often choose USPs due to limitations in their capacity to identify and evaluate large-scale projects. These limitations can be financial and technical, including a lack of expertise. While speculation exists about corrupt practices associated with unsolicited PPPs, it is difficult to validate such claims. However, it is acknowledged that unsolicited PPPs, in their current state, offer higher opportunities for corruption. Nonetheless, accessing private financing quickly and efficiently for PPPs is also a positive motivation for choosing the unsolicited approach.