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Green Buildings and Organizational Changes in Italian Case Studies

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  • Vito Albino
  • Umberto Berardi

Abstract

International policies indicate the building sector as one of the most promising for sustainable development. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it has the greatest and cheapest potential for delivering significant greenhouse gas emission reduction. However, early experiences of sustainable construction have shown that both a social and a technical transition are required. Consequently, the changes in organizational aspects of firms involved in construction represent an urgent research theme. This paper investigates how inter‐firm relationships are changing as the sector moves towards green building. The organizational model between firms is described at the integration level with suppliers, the integration level between the general contractor and the design team, the degree of specialization of involved firms and their sustainability certifications. These features have been analyzed in case studies collecting data through interviews. This paper compares organizational aspects in traditional and green buildings. Results suggest that green buildings are associated with inter‐firm relationships of comakership with suppliers and with the design team, and with firms with a portfolio focused on sustainable projects. Finally, among the case studies, sustainability related certifications are scarcely related to the greenness level of the building. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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  • Vito Albino & Umberto Berardi, 2012. "Green Buildings and Organizational Changes in Italian Case Studies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(6), pages 387-400, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:21:y:2012:i:6:p:387-400
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.1728
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    3. Xin Liang & Geoffrey Qiping Shen & Li Guo, 2015. "Improving Management of Green Retrofits from a Stakeholder Perspective: A Case Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-20, October.
    4. Wei Wang & Shoujian Zhang & Yikun Su & Xinyang Deng, 2018. "Key Factors to Green Building Technologies Adoption in Developing Countries: The Perspective of Chinese Designers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-22, November.
    5. Berardi, Umberto, 2013. "Stakeholders’ influence on the adoption of energy-saving technologies in Italian homes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 520-530.
    6. Guomin Li & Wei Li & Zihan Jin & Zhihao Wang, 2019. "Influence of Environmental Concern and Knowledge on Households’ Willingness to Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances: A Case Study in Shanxi, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, February.
    7. Serdar Durdyev & Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas & Derek Thurnell & Audrius Banaitis & Ali Ihtiyar, 2018. "Sustainable Construction Industry in Cambodia: Awareness, Drivers and Barriers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-19, February.
    8. Vidushini Siva & Thomas Hoppe & Mansi Jain, 2017. "Green Buildings in Singapore; Analyzing a Frontrunner’s Sectoral Innovation System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-23, May.
    9. Copiello, Sergio, 2015. "Achieving affordable housing through energy efficiency strategy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 288-298.
    10. Lavinia Denisia Cuc & Dana Rad & Daniel Manațe & Silviu Gabriel Szentesi & Anca Dicu & Mioara Florina Pantea & Vanina Adoriana Trifan & Cosmin Silviu Raul Joldeș & Graziella Corina Bâtcă-Dumitru, 2023. "Representations of the Smart Green Concept and the Intention to Implement IoT in Romanian Real Estate Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    11. Joanna Moczydłowska & Joanna Sadkowska & Krystyna Leszczewska, 2024. "Exploring Green HR Practices in the Construction Industry—Evidence from Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.
    12. Chenbo Zhu & Juntian Yue & Jing Chen, 2022. "Green Product Development and Order Strategies for Retailers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, August.
    13. Lai, Xiaodong & Liu, Jixian & Shi, Qian & Georgiev, Georgi & Wu, Guangdong, 2017. "Driving forces for low carbon technology innovation in the building industry: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 299-315.
    14. E. Adinyira & T. E. Kwofie & F. Quarcoo, 2018. "Stakeholder requirements for building energy efficiency in mass housing delivery: the House of Quality approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 1115-1131, June.
    15. Mireille Chiroleu-Assouline, 2016. "Multiple Standards: the Case of the French Building Industry," Policy Papers 2016.08, FAERE - French Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.
    16. Shahin Mokhlesian, 2014. "How Do Contractors Select Suppliers for Greener Construction Projects? The Case of Three Swedish Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(7), pages 1-19, June.
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    18. Anna Laura Pisello & Franco Cotana & Andrea Nicolini & Lucia Brinchi, 2013. "Development of Clay Tile Coatings for Steep-Sloped Cool Roofs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(8), pages 1-17, July.

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