Innovation to greener production: unveiling drivers and pathways in smart sustainable construction

The construction industry remains a significant contributor to environmental degradation, underscoring the urgent need for innovative smart technologies to drive greener production and more resource-efficient construction practices, particularly in developing economies. This study examines the opportunities and drivers influencing the adoption of smart sustainable construction in Malaysia through a structured survey of 120 industry professionals and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The findings identify key opportunities, including smart water and energy systems, advanced waste management, digital monitoring, and resource-efficient prefabrication. Operational cost reduction, regulatory compliance, and client or investor expectations emerged as the most influential adoption drivers. EFA revealed four core constructs: (1) policy, innovation, and resource contexts; (2) climate policy alignment and operational efficiency; (3) market responsiveness and stakeholder accountability; and (4) sustainability competency and awareness. Grounded in institutional theory, the natural resource-based view, and the triple bottom line, these findings underpin the Sustainable Technology Adoption and Readiness (STAR) Framework—a multi-level model integrating technological, regulatory, market, and human dimensions. The framework conceptualises technology adoption as a socio-technical process that links smart innovation to measurable sustainability outcomes, offering practical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to accelerate low-carbon, resource-efficient, and resilient construction transitions.