Greening the construction supply chain in Singapore

Abstract

It is acknowledged that construction activity has major impacts on the environment. Moreover, the construction process is usually fragmented, and involves several parties with different objectives. Thus, often, none of them normally assumes direct responsibility for protecting the environment. The concept of supply chain management (SCM) is now commonly applied in business for the mutual benefit of enterprises in the supply chain (from the organization extracting the basic raw material to the final customer). A basic principle of SCM is “integration”. However, SCM is not well known in the construction industry. This paper considers the potential of applying SCM to integrate the construction process in Singapore, and thereby, address its pressing problems including its poor environmental performance. It is found that SCM can help to green the construction supply chain in Singapore. Some recommendations on how awareness of SCM can be enhanced, and its application by construction enterprises made most likely to succeed are offered.