A fuzzy-analysis-based method for measuring contractors' environmental performance

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a fuzzy-analysis-based scoring (F-EPS) method for measuring contractors' environmental performance during project construction in order to assist contractors in improving their environmental performance during project construction. Design/methodology/approach - To review relevant literature and conduct practical investigations for establishing the indicators which measure the environmental performance made by contractors. This will be followed by establishing the performance benchmarks for measuring the performance level of the environmental indicators, and presenting a fuzzy-analysis-based scoring method for measuring a contractor's environmental performance. A practical case was adopted to demonstrate the procedures of applying the F-EPS model. Findings - This paper provides an alternative method, fuzzy-analysis-based scoring (F-EPS) method for assessing contractors' environmental performance. Whilst there are existing methods developed in previous studies for assessing the environmental performance of construction projects, it appears that little study has been conducted to investigate measuring the environmental performance by contractors during the construction process. Shen et al. (2005) suggested measuring contractors' environmental performance by using an environmental performance score (EPS). However, the major weakness of using the EPS model is that the model does not take into consideration the characteristics of the subjective and fuzzy assessment process. The F-EPS method is thus developed to help mitigate these weaknesses. Practical implications - F-EPS model provides a simple and easy-to-apply tool to assist contractors in identifying the poor environmental performance areas; thus corrective methods can be used to make improvement. It provides an effective method for contractors' environmental performance to be communicated to involved stakeholders. Originality/value - There are many variables affecting contractors' environmental performance, which present difficulties for measuring the performance efficiently and effectively. This paper has presented a new approach, a fuzzy-analysis-based method, for measuring the environmental performance used by contractors through applying the fuzzy analysis principles.