Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Azam Tariyan ¹
• Hessam ZandHessami ²
• Abbas khamseh ³

¹ Ph.D. student. Department of Technology Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

² Assistant Professor. Department of Industrial Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

The construction industry has always had significant destructive effects on the environment. Utilizing green supply chain management strategies to achieve sustainable construction is an effective approach to reducing environmental damage. In this research, the qualitative approach and interpretive paradigm, along with the seven-step meta-synthesis method, were employed to explain the influential components in establishing green supply chain management in the construction industry. A total of 728 relevant studies in the field of supply chain management, particularly with a focus on sustainability, green practices, and reverse logistics, were identified, reviewed, evaluated, and screened. Based on the entry and exit protocol, 37 studies were included in the research portfolio, resulting in the extraction of 73 primary codes that were categorized into 13 concepts and 4 categories. The reliability of the classification was confirmed using the Kappa coefficient. The research findings revealed that the components influencing green supply chain management were identified across four main categories: main factors of green supply chain management, facilitating factors, internal and external drivers and barriers. Finally, suggestions based on the extracted results from this research were presented for future researchers.
 Introduction
The construction industry is the primary consumer of resources and energy worldwide and has significant detrimental effects on the environment. Environmental protection and sustainability have become global concerns across various industries in the past two decades. Companies and governments in many countries are recognizing the importance of green supply chains, and this awareness is rapidly growing within the construction industry. Currently, competition between companies has shifted towards competition between their supply chains. Therefore, expanding the concept of sustainability in supply chain management is considered a strategy to enhance performance and improve a company's competitiveness. Green supply chain management is highly regarded among academics and industry professionals as it aims to preserve product quality, conserve resources, and minimize production waste. In the construction industry, green supply chain management involves managing all activities throughout the supply chain that contribute to the final product (building) to minimize environmental impacts. Hence, a holistic approach is required to manage all construction project activities and ensure sustainability across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. While extensive studies have been conducted on green supply chain management in various industries, the number of studies in the construction industry is relatively limited and fragmented, lacking a cohesive understanding of scientific findings in this field. To address this research gap and considering the importance of the topic and the lack of a comprehensive method in this field, the current research aims to present a model and identify the factors influencing green supply chain management in the construction industry, particularly in Iran.
 Materials and Methods
According to the nature of the research, the current study adopts a meta-synthesis approach, which is qualitative in nature with an interpretive paradigm. Meta-synthesis is a type of systematic qualitative approach that combines and integrates qualitative findings from different but related studies. By providing a systematic perspective to researchers, meta-synthesis allows for the discovery of new and fundamental themes and insights by synthesizing various qualitative studies. This approach enhances the existing knowledge and provides a broader understanding of the issues at hand. The seven-step method developed by Sandelowski has been employed to conduct the meta-synthesis. The data collected for this research have been coded and summarized using content analysis with the assistance of the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software.
Conclusions
This research aimed to identify the factors influencing green supply chain management in the construction industry. After conducting keyword searches, the identified documents were screened and evaluated, resulting in a set of documents that were coded and summarized using content analysis. These codes were then evaluated by experts. The findings were categorized and presented in a table, and a visual model was proposed for better comprehension. The research findings revealed four categories of factors influencing green supply chain management: main factors, facilitating factors, internal and external drivers, and barriers. The main factors identified in this research include green purchasing, green design, green construction, and reverse logistics. Facilitating factors include human resource management, green technology, internal environmental management, and green marketing. Additionally, the research identified important drivers and barriers for the implementation of green supply chain management. Internal drivers include the desire to enhance reputation, credibility, and business image; cost reduction; the desire to enter foreign markets; and societal pressure

Keywords

• Green Supply Chain
• Supply Chain Management
• Building Industry
• Construction
• Meta-Synthesis Approach