Construction materials are a major source of carbon emissions and natural resource consumption. While green construction policies increasingly promote eco-friendly materials, the study shows that real-world project decisions often follow a different logic—one driven by budgets, schedules, and organizational power structures.
Sustainability pressure meets project reality
Globally, the construction industry is under scrutiny for its environmental footprint. Buildings consume vast amounts of raw materials and energy throughout their life cycle. In Indonesia, rapid urban growth has intensified this challenge, especially in emerging development hubs such as Balikpapan City.
Medium-scale construction projects—common in growing urban areas—operate with tighter budgets and shorter timelines than large flagship projects. As a result, sustainability goals often compete with immediate financial and operational demands. The research places green material selection within this tension, highlighting why environmentally friendly options struggle to gain traction outside high-profile developments.
How the study explored decision-making
The research used a qualitative case study approach to capture how material decisions unfold in practice. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with eight key project actors: three project engineers, two structural engineers, two project managers, and one quantity surveyor involved in medium-scale construction projects in Balikpapan.
Instead of focusing on numerical scoring models, the study analyzed recurring themes in participants’ experiences. This thematic analysis approach allowed the researcher to trace how technical performance, cost efficiency, time pressure, and risk perception interact during project discussions.
Key findings: negotiation, not calculation
The study identifies material selection as a dynamic negotiation process, rather than a linear technical evaluation. Several patterns stand out:
· Cost efficiency dominates final decisions Budget limits act as the main filter for environmentally friendly materials. Even when a material meets sustainability and technical standards, it is likely to be rejected if it increases project costs beyond acceptable limits.
· Project managers and quantity surveyors hold decisive power Engineers propose material options, but final approval rests with actors who control budgets and schedules. Quantity surveyors assess financial feasibility, while project managers balance cost, time, and risk.
· Schedule pressure discourages innovation Eco-friendly materials that are unfamiliar or not widely available are often seen as risky. Concerns about delays, supply uncertainty, and workforce readiness push teams toward conventional materials.
· Risk perception shapes sustainability choices Materials perceived as technically uncertain or operationally complex are avoided, especially when projects face tight deadlines.
· Environmental awareness is not the main driver All participants acknowledged the importance of sustainability. However, personal concern for the environment rarely translated into decisive action. Structural constraints and collective decision systems outweighed individual values.
These findings show that sustainability in construction is governed by organizational dynamics rather than personal commitment alone.
What this means for green construction strategies
The study challenges the assumption that increasing environmental awareness among engineers will automatically lead to greener construction practices. Instead, it points to the need for systemic change at the project level.
Ethically paraphrasing the author’s analysis, Sahrullah of Politeknik Negeri Samarinda explains that environmentally friendly materials are adopted only when they align with cost structures, risk tolerance, and managerial authority within a project. In medium-scale projects, sustainability becomes viable not through individual advocacy, but through collective decision mechanisms that integrate environmental value into financial and managerial frameworks.
Implications for industry and policymakers
The findings offer several practical lessons:
- For construction companies: Sustainable material adoption requires aligning green options with cost planning and risk management, not just technical specifications.
- For project managers and quantity surveyors: These roles are pivotal in translating sustainability goals into practice. Training and incentives focused on long-term value—not just upfront cost—could shift decision outcomes.
- For policymakers: Regulations and incentives should target project governance structures. Financial incentives, procurement guidelines, or risk-sharing mechanisms may be more effective than awareness campaigns alone.
- For education and professional training: Engineering and construction management programs should emphasize decision-making dynamics, organizational power, and sustainability trade-offs in real project contexts.
As Indonesia and other developing economies pursue sustainable development, the study underscores the importance of embedding environmental priorities into the economic and managerial logic of construction projects.
Author profile
Sahrullah, S.T., M.T. Lecturer and researcher at Politeknik Negeri Samarinda, Indonesia. His expertise lies in construction management, decision-making processes, and sustainable construction practices, with a focus on project-level governance in developing country contexts.
Source
Sahrullah.
Decision-Making Dynamics of Engineers in Selecting Environmentally Friendly
Materials for Medium-Scale Construction Projects Formosa Journal of Science
and Technology,
Vol. 5, No. 1, 2026, pp. 309–320
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i1.366
0 Komentar