The primary purpose of the Master Thesis Towards a Better Sustainable Danish Construction Industry: An Analysis of Management Practices and Technology Solutions is to investigate the status of sustainable development within the building industry in Denmark in regards to the current environmental challenges, linked to the 2050 Energy Strategy.
In light of the current environmental challenges, the aim of the thesis is to observe the status quo and consequently evaluate what action can be taken in order to overcome the challenges and changes that the industry must tackle. It examines in what manner they can be implemented in order to create increasingly energy efficient built environments that would meet the Energy Strategy’s demands. The main research areas addressed used as reference points are:
 Energy contracts (ESCO)
 Environmental performance rating systems (DGNB, LEED, BREEAM, etc.)
 Smart buildings
The data for the thesis were obtained mainly through research of both national and international data, focusing mainly on Denmark, whenever applicable. Furthermore, two interviews with professionals from the industry were performed to support the research.
The thesis is composed of nine chapters and a conclusion, each of them dealing with a different aspect of the issue. The report itself is divided into two main bodies, divided by the problem formulation; the first one serving as a background theory basis, providing information for the second one, consisting of analyses and suggestions for implementation of an action plan.
The first chapter is introductory and presents the general idea of the report. It is followed by a methodology review, setting the general framework of how the research is conducted, along with presenting the authors’ Pragmatic worldview and a combination of quantitative and qualitative research.
Chapter 3 provides an insight into the status quo of the building industry in Denmark, presenting the environmental challenge it faces, its chosen strategy and explains the idea behind energy contracting as well as sustainability rating systems. Chapter 4 follows up by describing the roles of the process participants, to show their mutual influences and connections.
Chapter 5 is the centerpoint of the report, setting a foundation for its remainder by establishing the main research question, followed by a chapter delimitating the report’s scope.
The rest of the report is analytical in its nature. In Chapter 6, a PESTEL analysis is performed, followed by a criticism of environmental rating systems and Smart buildings. It concludes with a SWOT analysis of these concepts, laying a foundation for Chapter 7, which concentrates on what obstacles could prevent the three focus points respectively from being implemented in the industry on a large scale; Chapter 8 subsequently reveals which initiatives are, on the other hand, serving as an aid for them to get recognized and drive them to success. The final chapter draws the investigations to one whole and suggest specific scenarios to be implemented to make the suggestions reality. The outcome consists of two main sections: the first one elaborates on the role of the authorities and their power to establish legal incentives, subsidies for funding the research and implementation of environmentally suitable building solutions together with changing the way public projects are being procured. Secondly, methods of knowledge sharing across the industry are overviewed, both via extensive educational systems and various platforms for professionals.
The thesis is summed up by a conclusion, indicating its main outcomes as well as weaknesses. The bottom line remains that in order to make the change happen, a shift in the general mentality needs to occur first, and the major role of the authors is to provide arguments for how this can happen: predominantly by raising awareness of the issues, promoting extensive communication between building process participants as well as legislative incentives coming from the Government.