ESG disclosure in the construction industry : an empirical study of Asian international contractors | |
| Author | Xinjie, Liu |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.CM-26-15 |
| Subject(s) | Construction industry Social responsibility of business Delphi method |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Engineering in Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Construction is a key industry for sustainable development; however, with regard to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure, this sector remains quite fragmented and underdeveloped. The purpose of this study is to assess the ESG disclosure practices of Asian contractors listed in ENR's 2024 Top 250 International Contractors ranking. It develops a sector-specific ESG disclosure index to evaluate the level of disclosure, identify key indicators, and highlight differences among Asian countries.In this study, the Delphi method was used in conjunction with the Entropy Weight Method. Three rounds of expert consultation using the Delphi method were conducted to identify and adapt ESG indicators suitable for the construction sector based on their significance and practicality. ESG, sustainability, annual, and CSR reports that were publicly available were then collected from 51 international contractors in Asia. The Entropy Weight Method was used to derive the objective weight of each indicator and compute ESG disclosure scores at the company level.The results show significant differences in the ESG disclosure performance of international contractors from Asia. However, across countries and ESG dimensions, gaps in disclosure still remain. Disclosures related to environmental issues are more developed, while social and governance disclosures are more inconsistent. The results further show that labor-related indicators, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and formal ESG governance mechanisms are key determinants of disclosure differences. Comparisons across countries indicate that the overall quality and comparability of ESG disclosure are shaped by institutional contexts, regulatory mandates, data management capabilities, and corporate governance practices.The findings of this study provide a useful and replicable disclosure assessment framework for the construction industry and therefore contribute to ESG research. The study also offers important insights for Asian contractors, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders aiming to enhance ESG reporting quality, increase transparency, and ultimately foster more sustainable construction. |
| Year | 2026 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2026) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Construction Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CEIM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Santoso, Djoen San |
| Examination Committee(s) | White, Richard Steven;Vilas Nitivattananon |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | China Scholarship Council (CSC) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2026 |
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