Exploring sustainable post-end-of-life of building operations: A systematic literature review
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 2 April 2019
Issue publication date: 20 May 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the synergies between post-end-of-life of building (PEoLB) concepts and operations to achieve sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using 65 articles published between 2006 and 2017, and it has been subjected to descriptive and thematic analysis.
Findings
The descriptive analysis revealed that the majority of the articles were about (60 per cent) PEoLB operations, followed by (23 per cent) PEoLB concepts. Only 17 per cent of the articles have dealt with PEoLB-related strategic approaches. The thematic analysis elaborated on the literature development; interrelationships between PEoLB concepts and operations; impediments of introducing sustainability on these operations, remedial measures and information-based strategic approaches to achieve sustainability. Based on the findings, a conceptual framework for sustainable PEoLB operations is proposed. Furthermore, four areas of potential future research are discussed.
Research limitations/implications
This study presents a future research agenda including best practices to plan PEoLB operations and the development of optimisation models, risk management and information-based strategic approaches.
Practical implications
The proposed conceptual research framework triggers and nurtures potential pathways to introduce sustainable PEoLB operations under sound information flow. This could create a basis for future empirical studies in filling the identified gaps in literature. The framework could also assist practitioners in mitigating risks associated with transportation, storing and contamination of salvaged materials through enhanced information flow. In addition, the framework provides some managerial guidance to organisations seeking ways of establishing sustainability during reverse logistics (RL) operations.
Originality/value
This paper presents an SLR of an emerging area of research that encapsulates closed-loop supply chain through sustainable RL operations. The study highlights the interrelationships between PEoLB concepts and operations. It develops a robust approach to effectively manage the PEoLB operations underpinned by a sound information flow to facilitate sustainability.
Keywords
Citation
Jayasinghe, R.S., Rameezdeen, R. and Chileshe, N. (2019), "Exploring sustainable post-end-of-life of building operations: A systematic literature review", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 689-722. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-08-2017-0148
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited