Explaining the lower usage rate of indigenous construction materials in Ghanaian public buildings using bounded rationality

Abstract

Judicious use of Indigenous Construction Materials (ICM) contributes to sustainability of a local construction industry. Why has the use of ICMs not contributed to the sustainability of the Ghanaian Construction Industry (GCI), and how can the use of ICMs engender the sustainability of GCI and that of similar developing countries? This paper uses bounded rationality and mixed-method strategy to explain the ICM usage rate in the GCI, and describes measures for improving the sustainability of the local construction industry through ICMs use. Relatively high ICM cost and non-availability of alternatives have been found as factors largely responsible for constrained ICMs usage. This paper is one of the first to draw on a synergy of the bounded rationality theory and empirical findings to give advanced insight into factors constraining the use of ICMs, as well as provide a measured usage rate of local building materials using real building projects cases. The research has carved a path for nurturing sustainable construction industry in developing countries through indigenous resources.

Keywords

• Bounded rationality
• Built environment
• Ghana
• Construction industry
• Indigenous construction material
• Sustainable construction