Determinants and outcomes of environmental practices in Malaysian construction projects

Construction activities produce an enormous quantity of waste and consume massive amounts of energy. These activities have considerable environmental effects and have resulted in mounting demand to implement environmental practices (EP) at all levels in the construction industry. The present study investigates the determinants of EP implementation in construction projects and the impacts of such practices on the environmental and economic performance of construction firms. Data were gathered from a survey of 210 firms that were part of project teams in the Malaysian construction industry, and these data were analysed using the partial least squares technique. The results indicate that organizational support, customer pressure, and regulatory pressure have a positive impact on implementing EP in construction projects and that implementing EP has a positive effect on the environmental and economic performance of construction firms. The research results provide valuable information for understanding the determinants and outcomes of EP and are particularly critical for improved assessments of the effectiveness of EP investments to reduce the negative environmental impacts of construction activities.