Examining issues influencing green building technologies adoption: The United States green building experts’ perspectives

Green building (GB) has been viewed as an effective means to implement environmental, economic, andsocial sustainability in the construction industry. For the adoption of GB technologies (GBTs) to continueto succeed and gain popularity, a better understanding of the key issues influencing its progress is crucial.While numerous studies have examined the issues influencing green innovations adoption in general,few have specifically done so in the context of GBTs. This study aims to investigate the underpinnings ofGBTs adoption in the following areas: (1) the critical barriers inhibiting the adoption of GBTs, (2) majordrivers for adopting GBTs, and (3) important strategies to promote GBTs adoption. To achieve theseobjectives, a questionnaire survey was carried out with 33 GB experts from the United States. Rankinganalysis was used to identify the significant issues associated with GBTs adoption. Resistance to change, alack of knowledge and awareness, and higher cost have been the most critical barriers. The major driversfor adopting GBTs are greater energy- and water-efficiency, and company image and reputation. Theanalysis results also indicate that the most important strategies to promote the adoption of GBTs arefinancial and further market-based incentives, availability of better information on cost and benefits ofGBTs, and green labeling and information dissemination. The findings provide a valuable reference forindustry practitioners and researchers to deepen their understanding of the major issues that influenceGB decision-making, and for policy makers aiming at promoting the adoption of GBTs in the constructionindustry to develop suitable policies and incentives. This study contributes to expanding the body ofknowledge about the influences that hinder and those that foster GBTs implementation.