The PhD project focusses on exploring sustainability regulations in relation to practice within the construction industry. From the use of qualitative methods and institutional theory, the study investigates how the construction industry responds to new legislation at three distinct level: (1) the field level, where construction clients are the center of analysis; (2) the organizational level, where the internal dynamics of a large contract organization are the center of analysis and (3) project level, where waste handling on a construction project are the center of analysis.

Overall, the PhD project highlights a complex relationship between sustainability-orientated regulation and practice in the construction industry. The three-level analysis underscores how policies undergo industry-specific processes and is challenged by established norms and routines. The research thus demonstrates that sustainability-orientated regulation can conflict with industry specific dynamics, leading to uncertainty in the construction industry’s responses to regulatory pressure.

For a copy of the thesis, please email inst.build.phd@build.aau.dk.