Gotong royong as a cultural driver of green building practices among informal construction workers in Indonesia

Abstract

Technical standards, regulatory compliance, and formal organisational processes have shaped green construction practices. The informal workers in many emerging economies are employed in construction projects. This study analyses how Indonesian gotong royong, a cultural norm, drives green building practices among informal construction workers. The sequential exploratory mixed-methods study initially conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with informal construction workers and site leaders to examine collective work practices and sustainability. A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling survey of 198 informal construction workers examined the conceptual framework and measurement instruments, informed by qualitative findings. Gotong royong positively affects group work behaviour, thereby improving green building practices on construction sites. Informality-related limitations have a weaker negative influence on gotong royong and green building practices than collective work behaviour. In informal construction contexts, culturally established group norms can partially compensate for the absence of formal training and institutional support. Rethinking cultural norms as endogenous drivers of green building implementation contributes to sustainability and construction management literature. The findings indicate that green building initiatives in emerging economies should incorporate culturally grounded and behaviour-based approaches to complement technical and legal frameworks.