The role of supply chain management in minimising construction materials waste perspectives of construction companies in Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Supply chain management has been widely practiced in the manufacturing industry, but the construction industry as a relatively newcomer in the discipline. Construction projects are realized through a multitude of teams that supply essential services of one or another. Supply Chain Management (SCM) will thus have many benefits to construction stakeholders. The aim of this study was to explore supply chain management as a tool to minimising material waste in construction projects. The key specific objectives included: to identify practices associated with effective supply chain management that could minimize material waste in construction projects in the Greater Accra Region: to identify the barriers to the adoption of SCM practices that could minimize material waste in construction projects in the Greater Accra Region; and to make recommendations for minimizing materials waste through effective SCM in the Greater Accra Region. Quantitative research approach was used for the study involving the development and administration of survey questionnaires to a randomly selected stratified sample of 97 construction managers in the Greater Accra Region. The findings of the study suggest that effective SCM practices that could minimize material waste included: supply chain management practices focused on quality and performance, improving the existing transportation system to enhance the free flow of goods and materials for construction works, analysis of the risk of potential loss regarding financial, physical and social loss to the firm, analysis of the availability of suppliers when developing supply chain management practices, tendering, design and procurement practices are factored into designing supply chain management system in the firm. The adoption of effective supply chain management system included the contribution to environmental protection, waste reduction across the supply chain management system, reducing environmental risks, benefits in cost reduction associated with the adoption of supply chain management practices, organizational image improvement and meeting market expectations. The barriers to effective supply chain management practices are: lack of adequate financial and human resources, lack of top management commitment, ineffective internal communication within firms, inappropriate organizational structure and lack of markets for recyclable materials. The study recommended that the management of the construction firms should seek financial assistance from merchant banks to expand their financial and human resources competencies. This can improve the effective supply chain management systems of the firm.