Adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices among project managers in the Ghanaian construction industry

Abstract

Purpose One of the biggest challenges in the construction industry is finding a way to maintain steady growth whilst generating less waste and utilizing fewer natural resources. The adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices aids in curbing this major challenge. This study examines the adoption of ESG practices among project managers in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative research approach with a survey strategy. A structured questionnaire based on a literature review of 24 ESG practices, 10 barriers and 10 enablers, was administered to 72 project managers working in construction firms in Ghana. The data retrieved were analysed descriptively and inferentially. Findings The findings revealed that social sustainability practices had the highest overall adoption frequency among Ghanaian construction project managers, followed by governance and environmental practices. The findings further revealed that health and safety, stakeholder engagement and ethical behaviour emerged as the most frequently adopted ESG practices. Financial constraints, data limitations and lack of leadership and policy support were identified as the most critical barriers to ESG adoption. In addition, establishing ESG information systems, integrating ESG into corporate strategy and leveraging technology are the top-ranked strategies for enhancing the adoption of ESG practices among project managers in Ghana. Originality/value This study contributes to existing literature on ESG adoption within a developing country context. The findings offer practical value for benchmarking ESG performance, designing targeted interventions and fostering an enabling ecosystem for sustainability.