Assessing green innovation competencies for sustainable construction practices in Nigeria: A Delphi survey

Abstract

This study employed a Delphi survey to evaluate the importance of various green innovation competency components identified from the literature. The Delphi method was utilized for its effectiveness in achieving consensus among experts on complex issues. The participants included academics and registered professionals in practice such as Architects, Builders, Engineers, Estate Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, and Town Planners, with at least 10 years of experience sustainability. A total of 30 experts were purposively selected, with 23 actively participating in both rounds of the survey. Consensus in this study is defined as a substantial majority agreement (70% or more) among the Delphi panel members. The mean score of ≥ 7 on a 10-point scale, a coefficient of variation (CV) ≤ 0.3, and an interquartile range (IQR) ≤ 1.5 were used as statistical measures, analysed with SPSS Version 20. Drawing from existing literature, 38 competencies were identified, encompassing social, environmental, economic, and technical dimensions important for decision-making in green projects. These competencies enhance adaptability, collaboration, and compliance with sustainable development goals. Of the identified components, 26 were rated highly by the experts. The findings showed strong intra-rater reliability (ICC of 0.941) and significant agreement among raters, supporting the validity of the results. The findings show the need for increased focus on these competencies in both academic and professional settings, because of their role in promoting adaptability, collaboration, and alignment with sustainable development goals. The study concludes that these competencies can be positioned as benchmarks for trainings and professional developments within the construction industry.