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Author
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Mangezi, Runyararo
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Title
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Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in the construction industry. A Case study of Leengate construction
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Abstract
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The global construction industry is a major driver of economic growth and infrastructure development, but also a significant contributor to environmental degradation, social inequality and governance challenges. In response, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have emerged as a critical framework for fostering sustainability and ethical practices. However, the adoption and effective implementation of ESG within the construction sector remain low, hindered by numerous barriers. This study assessed the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles among management and employees at Leengate Construction Company in Harare, Zimbabwe, while identifying key barriers to ESG implementation. A cross-sectional research design was employed, collecting data from 127 respondents (96% response rate) through structured questionnaires. Stratified random sampling from a population was utilized and ensured representation across management, employees, administrative and technical department. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed a notable disparity in ESG awareness, with management demonstrating strong knowledge (mean=0.77), particularly in regulatory compliance, while employees show alarming low familiarity with core ESG concept (0.49), and both have low scores regarding global frameworks like GRI, SASB, and TCFD and international green building certification systems like LEED and BREAM. Technical employees scored lower (0.47) than administrative staff (0.62) on knowledge towards ESG. Most concerning is the near total lack of awareness among technical staff regarding ESG reporting frameworks (0.08), suggesting these critical sustainability tools remain confined to boardrooms rather than being operationalized on construction sites. Management and employees, technical and admin staff strongly agree that environmental consideration should be a top priority, but undervalued social equity compared to financial performance. Finding reveals that technical employee view ESG as primarily relevant for multinational corporations, not local firms like Leengate, highlighting a critical failure in communication ESGs universal importance. Analysis of practical implementation shows selective compliance, where mandatory safety protocols and pollution control measures demonstrated strong adherence, whereas voluntary sustainability initiatives, particularly sustainable materials utilization and energy efficiency, show markedly low adoption rate in Leengate construction as a whole. The most significant challenges to ESG implementation were identified as high initial cost (88.19%), lack of awareness and training (78.74%) and the complexity of ESG regulations (75.59%) and resistance to change (72.44%). The study concludes that while Leengate has a compliance base ESG foundation, strategic gaps in knowledge dissemination, sustainable innovation and governance transparency hinders full integration.
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Date
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June 2025
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Publisher
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BUSE
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Keywords
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Construction Industry
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Sustainability
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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
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Supervisor
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N/A
Mangezi - SHEM.pdf