34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0250

Green and digital innovations for managing construction supply chain in the Net Zero Economy (NZE)

Ali Al-Zaini1, Melissa Chan2, Victor Arowoiya3, Saaed Aramesh4 & Asrul Masrom5

1Graduate/Mr, College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected]
2Senior Lecturer/Dr, College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-1589-6850
3PhD Graduate/Dr, College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-7436-9762
4PhD Graduate, Mr, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected]
5Associate Professor/Dr, Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-5221-2855

Abstract

The construction industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, requiring clear pathways toward net-zero outcomes. One promising approach is adopting green and digital innovations in construction supply chain management. Grounded in Lean Construction philosophy particularly value generation, waste elimination, flow efficiency and continuous improvement, this study examines factors that drive and facilitate the adoption of green and digital innovations. It also explores policy and regulatory barriers, innovative business models and industry-specific strategies supporting the transition to a Net Zero Economy (NZE). From a lean perspective, carbon-intensive supply chain activities can be understood as systemic waste resulting from variability, overproduction, rework and inefficient logistics. The circular economy aligns closely with lean thinking by promoting lifecycle value optimisation and resource efficiency to support decarbonisation. However, research on developing lean-enabled NZE supply chains in the building sector remains limited. Using a systematic literature review, this study synthesises strategies to advance the adoption of eco-friendly and digital technologies within lean-oriented supply chain management. The findings extend current knowledge by integrating green and digital innovations with lean principles to support a more sustainable, efficient and net-zero construction production system.

Keywords

Digitalization, supply chain, lean construction, Net Zero Economy (NZE), systematic review

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Al-Zaini, A., Chan, M., Arowoiya, V., Aramesh, S. & Masrom, A.. (2026). Green and digital innovations for managing construction supply chain in the Net Zero Economy (NZE). In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 194–203). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0250

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Al-Zaini, A., Chan, M., Arowoiya, V., Aramesh, S. & Masrom, A.. (2026). Green and digital innovations for managing construction supply chain in the Net Zero Economy (NZE). IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0250

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

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