Information processing for end-of-life coordination: a multiple-case study

Marc van den Berg*, Hans Voordijk, Arjen Adriaanse

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)
290 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how demolition contractors coordinate project activities for buildings at their end-of-life. The organizations are thereby conceptualized as information processing systems facing uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach: A multiple-case study methodology was selected to gain in-depth insights from three projects with different end-of-life strategies: a faculty building (material recycling), a nursing home (component reuse) and a psychiatric hospital (element reuse). Using a theory elaboration approach, the authors sought to explain how and why demolition contractors process information for end-of-life coordination.

Findings: End-of-life strategies differ in the degree of building, workflow and environmental uncertainty posed to the demolition contractor. Whether or not a strategy is effective depends on the (mis)match between the specific levels of uncertainty and the adopted coordination mechanisms.

Research limitations/implications: The explanatory account on end-of-life coordination refines information processing theory for the context of (selective) demolition projects. Practical implications: The detailed case descriptions and information processing perspective enable practitioners to select, implement and reflect on coordination mechanisms for demolition/deconstruction projects at hand.

Originality/value: Reflecting its dual conceptual-empirical and inductive-deductive focus, this study contributes with new opportunities to explain building end-of-life coordination with a refined theory.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)647-671
Number of pages25
JournalConstruction innovation
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 May 2020

Keywords

  • 2020 OA procedure
  • Circular economy
  • Demolition
  • Information systems/management
  • Materials
  • Whole life cycle
  • Building

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