Purpose: This study aimed to identify and assess the barriers to implementing modular construction systems (MCS) in developing country's architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, targeting built environment professionals from Nigeria and South Africa.Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a quantitative research method, using a structured questionnaire to seek the opinions of the professionals on the identified categories of barriers.Findings: Results indicated that all identified categories of barriers were statistically significant using a one-sample t-test at p = 0.05 significance level which indicates they are critical towards the implementation of MCS in developing countries. Assessment of the opinion of the professionals using the Kruskal–Wallis scale showed that they hold similar views on the barriers to the adoption of MCS. Pearson correlation shows a high correlation coefficient amongst the barrier categories and an acceptable level of significance (p = 0.05).Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to two significant African countries (Nigeria and South Africa) selected based on the gross domestic product (GDP). Further studies can consider developing countries outside Africa and investigate broader respondents.Practical implications: The study provides implications on the barriers affecting MCS in developing countries for the academia, industry and government to have an insight into the barriers and make informed decisions and policies.Originality/value: The research satisfies the need to study the barriers affecting the MCS in developing countries that can mitigate housing deficits. This innovative construction method has been adopted and implemented in developed countries, and the result has been positive.

Artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning and decision support systems, can deploy complex algorithms to learn sufficiently from the large corpus of building information modelling (BIM) data. An integrated BIM-AI system can leverage the insights to make smart and informed decisions. Hence, the integration of BIM-AI offers vast opportunities to extend the possibilities of innovations in the design and construction of projects. However, this synergy suffers unprecedented challenges. This study conducted a systematic literature review of the challenges and constraints to BIM-AI integration in the construction industry and categorise them into different taxonomies. It used 64 articles, retrieved from the Scopus database using the PRISMA protocol, that were published between 2015 and July 2024. The findings revealed thirty-nine (39) challenges clustered into six taxonomies: technical, knowledge, data, organisational, managerial, and financial. The mean index score analysis revealed financial (µ = 30.50) challenges are the most significant, followed by organisational (µ = 23.86), and technical (µ = 22.29) challenges. Using Pareto analysis, the study highlighted the twenty (20) most important BIM-AI integration challenges. The study further developed strategic mitigation maps containing strategies and targeted interventions to address the identified challenges to the BIM-AI integration. The findings provide insights into the competing issues stifling BIM-AI integration in construction and provide targeted interventions to improve synergy.

Purpose: This study examines the barriers impeding the implementation of circular economy (CE) practices in the Nigerian architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) industry across diverse regions of Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts a quantitative approach using a five-Likert scale questionnaire (Google Forms), utilizing various analytical tools, encompassing descriptive and inferential statistics. This methodological approach allows for a multifaceted exploration of the intricacies surrounding the barriers to circular CE. Findings: The study identifies and examines 24 CE barriers which are determined to be significant to the implementation of CE. These barriers were categorized into four categories: “Economic”, “Market and Information”, “Policy and Operational” and “ product development”. Research limitations/implications: The adopted sampling technique may restrict the generalizability of the findings within and beyond the selected regions. Furthermore, while the analytical methods offer a comprehensive analysis, they may not capture the nuanced intricacies that qualitative methodology could provide. However, the findings can be applied to other developing countries with characteristics similar to those of the Nigerian construction industry. Practical implications: The study’s findings are significant for stakeholders such as policymakers, industry and academia. By elucidating CE-specific barriers, the research facilitates the formulation of targeted and tailored strategies, fostering the integration of CE principles in the Nigerian construction industry. Originality/value: This study presents novel insights into the barriers hindering the implementation of CE in the Nigerian construction industry. Offering tailored strategies and categorizing barriers into clusters adds a unique perspective to CE literature, particularly in developing countries.

Purpose: The construction industry faces significant challenges in managing waste and resource inefficiency, contributing to environmental degradation and unsustainable practices. Despite the potential of circular economy (CE) practices to address these issues, there is limited understanding and inadequate policy support for their effective implementation. This study investigates the perspectives of policymakers on achieving CE in the Nigerian construction industry. Specifically, this study examines policymakers’ understanding of CE, key influencing policies, the challenges encountered in implementing CE practices and how policies can support the transition to CE. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the perspectives of policymakers towards achieving CE in the Nigerian construction industry. About 50 participants were purposively selected to participate in this study to provide comprehensive data for the study. Saturation was attained on the 34th participants. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and insights. Findings: This study identified significant gaps and challenges hindering policymakers' effective implementation of CE practices. The challenges include financial constraints, resistance to change, inadequate regulatory frameworks, lack of infrastructure, skill gaps and weak enforcement mechanisms. Recommendations for improvement include financial incentives, updated building codes, enhanced enforcement, mandatory education and training programmes and increased collaboration between government, industry and academia. A conceptual framework was developed to promote the implementation of CE in the construction industry. Originality/value: This study is the first to examine the perspectives of policymakers on CE in the Nigerian construction industry, offering unique insights and practical recommendations. The conceptual framework adds a structured approach to implementing CE practices, contributing to the limited research on CE in developing countries and providing a robust foundation for future studies to expand the scope and employ quantitative methods to measure the impact of CE practices.

The concept of circular economy has gained recognition as a way to manage waste and conserve resources sustainably, and has the potential to transform the construction industry. This is particularly relevant in the construction industry due to the significant amounts of waste generated during the construction and demolition process. This study examines the perceived importance and effectiveness of strategies related to the circular economy in the construction industry. The data were collected through a survey administered to professionals in the construction sector, capturing their perceptions of various strategies. The results reveal that most strategies received high mean ratings, indicating their perceived significance. Strategies such as waste management and recycling facilities, design for disassembly, and prioritising the use of renewable and sustainable materials were highly valued by the respondents. Additionally, statistical analyses confirmed the significance of these strategies. However, some strategies received comparatively lower ratings, suggesting the need for further attention and improvement. The findings have important implications for policymakers, industry professionals, and stakeholders, guiding decision-making and resource allocation. By prioritising and implementing the identified strategies, stakeholders can drive the adoption of circular economy principles, enhance resource efficiency, and reduce waste in construction practices. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for future research, highlighting the importance of exploring barriers to implementation, understanding synergies and trade-offs among strategies, conducting longitudinal studies to assess long-term impact, and broadening the participant pool for a more comprehensive understanding. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the circular economy in the construction industry and provides valuable insights for promoting sustainability and circularity within the sector.