Purpose: The increasing concern for waste reduction in the global construction industry has led to diverse sustainable approaches emerging globally in the past decade. Material passport (MP), a growing approach, has been seen to be very promising. This study examines the implementation of materials passports in the Ghanaian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted the quantitative research method. Having reviewed literature related to this study, questionnaires served as a means of soliciting the views of 77 professionals in the built environment in the Ghanaian construction industry on the theme under investigation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to analyze the data retrieved. Findings: Findings from the study revealed that Ghanaian construction professionals possessed a low level of awareness of the concept of MPs. However, they showed a massive willingness to adopt MPs in their professional practice. The findings further revealed that the professionals believed challenges such as the lack of knowledge, complexities of MP in terms of its preparation, and lack of quality assurance for recovered products hinder the adoption of MPs. The findings also revealed that strategies such as adequate training and education, policies and regulations, and adequate stakeholder engagement could aid in the implementation of MPs in the Ghanaian construction industry. Originality/value: For the concept of MPs to gain a firm foundation globally, its perception and implementation must be explored thoroughly. This empirical study, being the first to investigate MP implementation in Ghana, has provided insights into the topic from the perspective of professionals operating in the Ghanaian construction industry. The paper reveals information on the practice of MPs from the context of a typical developing country.

Given the construction industry’s significant contribution of approximately 39% of global CO₂ emissions, implementing effective carbon reduction strategies is becoming increasingly critical. In this context, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies present promising solutions for monitoring and reducing emissions. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding specific IoT applications, implementation barriers, and opportunities for carbon reduction in construction practices. This study investigates the role of IoT in reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry. Following PRISMA guidelines, this study analyzed bibliometric data from Scopus and Web of Science databases using VOSviewer for science mapping visualization. Content analysis was conducted on 17 carefully selected articles to identify key research topics and applications. The analysis identified four mainstream application areas: (1) IoT-based smart monitoring systems for carbon emissions, (2) energy efficiency and management applications, (3) sustainable construction implementation frameworks, and (4) smart cities and other built environment applications. Key findings highlight growing research interest in IoT applications for sustainable construction, with China, the United States, and the United Kingdom leading collaborative efforts. Despite demonstrated carbon reduction potential, significant implementation barriers exist, including technical limitations, organizational resistance, skill gaps, and economic constraints. Key opportunities include Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, Building information modeling (BIM)-IoT synergies, energy prosumer models, and standardization frameworks. This study provides the first focused review of IoT applications specifically targeting carbon reduction in construction, highlighting a critical technology-practice gap where organizational factors frequently outweigh technological barriers. A proposed socio-technical integration framework in this study bridges technical and organizational elements to overcome adoption barriers.

Purpose: Poor material lifecycle data management prevents construction industry circular economy transformation. Stakeholders cannot reliably verify secondary material quality despite massive embedded material stocks in existing buildings. Current material passport (MP) frameworks operate in isolation, with blockchain providing verification but lacking real-time monitoring, while digital twins offer dynamic tracking without cryptographic security. This study aims to systematically review blockchain-digital twin integration in MP research to inform digital product passport (DPP) implementation strategies in construction material lifecycle management. Design/methodology/approach: This systematic literature review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 62 publications and content analysis on 29 studies from Scopus and Web of Science. The methodology was limited by database selection and English-language publications, potentially excluding some relevant studies. Findings: Integration creates synergistic effects where blockchain ensures data integrity while digital twins provide dynamic material intelligence, transforming static documentation into intelligent responsive systems. However, significant barriers exist including technical interoperability issues, data storage conflicts, performance limitations and standardization deficits. Current isolated deployments fail to address comprehensive requirements of dynamic material lifecycle management. Future research should focus on developing standardized integration frameworks, addressing real-time synchronization challenges and conducting comprehensive performance evaluations across diverse construction contexts to support DPP regulatory compliance. Originality/value: The study establishes theoretical foundations for MP integration research that informs DPP deployment, demonstrating how integrated systems can serve as foundational mechanisms connecting blockchain verification capabilities with digital twin intelligence for regulatory compliance preparation.

Purpose: Although most developed countries are progressively responding to the call for improved building maintenance by employing digital technologies, the progress in developing countries remains very low, with a persistent reliance on traditional maintenance practices. Understanding the importance attributed to these technologies is key to promoting innovative and sustainable building maintenance. This study examines the views of facilities managers (FM) on digital innovation tools essential in building maintenance. Design/methodology/approach: Using a structured questionnaire survey that was developed upon a review of relevant literature, the views of 82 FM were elicited regarding the theme under investigation. Data retrieved were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and frequencies) and inferential statistics (one-sample t-test and one-way ANOVA). Findings: The findings reveal a low-to-moderate level of awareness among FM regarding the digital innovation tools. Despite this, the FM recognize the significant role these tools play in building maintenance. The findings further revealed that the FM surveyed consider Internet of Things, predictive maintenance tools, condition monitoring tools, computerized maintenance management systems and augmented reality tools as the most significant digital innovation tools essential for building maintenance. The study underscores the importance of creating more awareness, primarily through research and academic institutions in the built environment. Originality/value: This study offers new insights into an under-explored topic in developing countries. With the study uniquely highlighting specific areas where facility managers fall short, strategic decisions such as courses to be embedded in facility management education could be implemented.

Purpose: The increase in waste and carbon emissions from the construction industry continues to fester although sustainable design approaches such as designing for adaptability (DfA) have been approved as a viable option to minimize construction waste and greenhouse gases while providing cost savings on building projects. This paper examines the views of design professionals on the challenges to implementing DfA in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). Design/methodology/approach: A critical comparative review of the related literature was conducted on the international challenges to implementing adaptability. After the review, 16 challenges were identified and used as the basis of the questionnaire survey in the Ghanaian context. By using a quantitative approach, a close-ended structured questionnaire was used to seek the views of 236 design professionals operating in the GCI regarding these factors. Data retrieved were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The findings revealed the key challenges to implementing DfA among design professionals in Ghana to include “limited funding for adaptable buildings”, “lack of collaboration between design professionals, contractors and clients towards the realization of adaptable buildings”, “limited demand for adaptable buildings” and “lack of education and training programs on design for adaptability practices”. Originality/value: The novelty or originality of this study lies in its focus on the GCI, an area where the concept of DfA has rarely been examined in practice despite its recognized potential benefits in reducing waste and emissions. The study offers a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by design professionals in Ghana. This level of detail is crucial for devising targeted strategies to promote DfA in the region.

Purpose: Carbon emission reduction strategies are widely acknowledged within Ghana's construction industry. However, despite high awareness levels, implementation remains significantly limited. It is evidenced that the underlying socio-technical interactions perpetuating this awareness-practice gap remain inadequately understood. This study aims to examine the socio-technical barriers and enablers and develop a comprehensive framework that integrates human and technological dimensions for effective implementation of carbon reduction strategies. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a quantitative approach using structured questionnaires administered to 104 construction professionals. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data analysis included Cronbach's alpha reliability testing, one-sample t-tests for significance and exploratory factor analysis to identify underlying dimensions. Socio-technical systems theory (STS) and ecological modernization theory provided the theoretical foundations for the study. Findings: Information access emerged as the most significant barrier, followed by data accessibility and communication effectiveness. Factor analysis revealed four barrier dimensions: institutional and system integration, technical-social knowledge transfer, contextual technical adaptation and information and user engagement. Public awareness ranked as the most critical enabler, followed by education programs and technology access. The developed framework incorporates systematic validation mechanisms and adaptive process re-entry protocols for continuous improvement. Originality/value: This study contributes to STS through the development of an integrated framework that operationalizes the interdependence between human and technological dimensions in carbon reduction implementation. The framework provides systematic pathways for bridging the awareness-practice gap, offering valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders.