Advancing circular economy adoption through investigating RFID technology in construction

Purpose The construction industry, responsible for significant global waste and energy consumption, urgently requires adopting a circular economy (CE). Although Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has transformative potential for tracking material lifecycles and reducing waste, numerous interconnected barriers hinder its integration into CE practices. This study aims to examine barrier interrelationships and provide expert-recommended solutions to enhance RFID adoption within construction CE contexts. Design/Methodology/Approach A mixed-methods approach was adopted in three phases: a PRISMA-guided literature review identified RFID adoption barriers, Fuzzy-Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory analyzed interdependencies among barriers using insights from UK construction experts and targeted solutions addressed the most influential barriers. Findings The analysis highlighted “cost-related barriers” as most influential, along with critical technological and organizational sub-barriers, including knowledge gaps, standardization deficits and limited RFID application scope. The primary recommended solution is developing standardized rules for RFID use to ensure security and effective data management. Research limitations/implications This study contributes by mapping barrier interdependencies, enriching the technology-organization-environment framework and emphasizing reforms to reduce costs and environmental impacts. Limitations include UK-specific data, evolving RFID-related barriers and emphasis on technical and organizational factors. Future research should incorporate longitudinal, contextual and comparative studies. Practical implications The findings provide practitioners with actionable insights by highlighting key barriers and proposing practical solutions for RFID integration within CE practices. Originality/Value This study uniquely investigates barrier interdependencies, challenging linear adoption models and supporting strategic decision-making for RFID adoption in sustainable construction.