Structural Equation Modelling of Barriers, Adoption Behaviour and Sustainability Outcomes in the Built Environment in Northern Nigeria
Keywords:
Adoption Behaviour, Built Environment, Structural Equation Modeling, Sustainable ArchitectureAbstract
Sustainability outcomes in the built environment depend on how adoption of sustainable practices interacts with structural constraints, yet the combined effect of these factors remains insufficiently examined. This study examined the relationships between perceived barriers, adoption of sustainable practices and impact within the built environment sector. A quantitative survey design was adopted, drawing on responses from 398 professionals in architecture, engineering, construction and related fields. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability testing, correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modelling. The measurement scales demonstrated acceptable reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.761 to 0.859. Descriptive results indicate high perceived barriers, moderate adoption levels and relatively strong perceived impact. Correlation analysis shows a strong negative relationship between barriers and adoption, while relationships involving impact are weak. Structural modelling results show that barriers significantly reduce adoption (β = -0.637, p < 0.001). Adoption has no significant effect on impact (β = 0.058, p = 0.431). Barriers have a significant direct effect on impact (β = 0.216, p = 0.001). The indirect effect is not significant (p = 0.425), indicating no mediation effect. The model explains 40.5 percent of variation in adoption and 3.4 percent in impact, indicating limited explanatory power for outcome performance. The findings contribute empirical evidence that structural constraints dominate both behavioural and outcome pathways, while adoption alone does not translate into improved impact. This suggests that sustainability interventions in the built environment are more effective when they prioritise removal of systemic constraints rather than focusing solely on increasing adoption levels.
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