Data sharing for a Circular Building Economy: Managing tensions

Abstract

The Dutch government has committed to achieving a fully Circular Building Economy (CBE) by 2050. According to the literature, material passports can be a key enabler of this transition as they provide information about the materials in buildings. However, data sharing in the construction sector is not without challenges. This thesis explores the paradoxical tensions experienced by five key actor groups in the Dutch construction sector when sharing data for circular building practices and how they manage these tensions. The key actor groups are owners, architects, contractors, building material producers, and demolition and recycling companies. The analysis identified four paradox tensions in these actors. Performing tensions arise from a conflict between transparency and competitive advantage and are experienced by architects, contractors, and material producers. Belonging tensions occur as a misalignment between personal and collective values and are experienced by architects. Organizing tensions are related to challenges in data standardization and data management. This tension is mostly experienced by owners. Learning tensions stem from the temporal difference of effort and benefits. In the early stages a lot of time and effort needs to be put into the creation of a material passport and the long-term benefits will be achieved in the future. To manage these tensions, the actors employed three strategies: alignment, avoidance and opposition. Alignment involves prioritizing the financially beneficial action side of the tension over the other. This strategy was used by architects, contractors, and material producers, who mostly experienced performing and/or learning tensions. Avoidance involves ignoring one side of the tension which is done by restricting data sharing. This strategy is employed by architects and material producers who both experienced performing tensions. Finally, opposition is used to balance competing demands by addressing both sides of the tensions such as sharing whatever data you can whiles working on improving your data management to be able to provide all data that is asked for. This strategy is primarily employed by owners who primarily experience organizing tension. Across the Dutch construction sector, the most commonly experienced tension is performing which is mostly managed through alignment. This suggests that financial incentives can help many actors in the construction sector manage the tensions they face. Through identifying and analysing the tensions actors experience and the management strategies they use, this study aims to support policymakers and industry stakeholders in creating a data-driven foundation for the Circular Building Economy.