Title: Development of an information exchange model for attaining sustainability

Authors: L.Y. Shen, Vivian W.Y. Tan, C.S. Sun, X. Zhang

Addresses: Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hum, Hong Kong. ' School of Engineering, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia. ' School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin, 92 West Da Zhi St, Harbin, Heilonghang, 150001, China. ' Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hum, Hong Kong

Abstract: Improving sustainable performance in construction activities has been promoted as an important agenda for pursuing sustainable development. This issue is particularly important in implementing infrastructure projects which have much larger impacts than building projects to social, economic and environmental performance. Proper coordination and adequate information exchanges among project participants are crucial for achieving better sustainable performance. By using a mapping model, this paper presents the current practice of communicating essential information among project participants for implementing large infrastructure projects across project life cycle. The weaknesses of the current practice in hindering achieving better project sustainability have been identified. Solutions are presented for improving the practice in attaining better project sustainability through introducing an information exchange model among project participants.

Keywords: sustainable construction; information flow mapping; modelling; supply chain management; SCM; environmental management; infrastructure projects; information exchange; sustainability; sustainable development; information sharing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2011.041971

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2011 Vol.10 No.2, pp.153 - 168

Received: 15 Oct 2009
Accepted: 21 Apr 2010
Published online: 21 Feb 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article