Influence of sustainability adoption on the success of construction projects

While many studies report the success of sustainable buildings, there remains considerable debate regarding their practical effectiveness. Critics often cite higher initial costs, increased financial risks, longer payback periods, and conflicting priorities between long-term users and short-term decision-makers as key concerns. This research investigates the impact of sustainability adoption on the success of construction projects, with particular emphasis on contemporary definitions of success and stakeholder satisfaction. A conceptual model was developed from an extensive review of sustainability in construction, and a questionnaire survey was conducted with 201 professionals across the UK. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The results show strong and significant relationships, indicating that achieving economic (p = 0.431) and social sustainability adoption (p = 0.354) can enhance project success, whereas environmental sustainability did not demonstrate a significant contribution. These findings suggest that environmental sustainability may require more strategic integration into project delivery. The study recommends redefining project success criteria to explicitly incorporate environmental goals, supported by policy reforms, strengthened professional standards, and transparent public accountability. Further research is needed to assess and refine these strategies in practical settings.