Purpose The promotion of “Zero-Waste Construction Sites” (ZWCS) is caught in a dilemma between insufficient effectiveness of unilateral government governance and a lack of initiative from enterprises to participate. Accordingly, this study aims to explore how to enhance construction enterprises' enthusiasm for building ZWCS through government incentive strategies and the involvement of industry associations, as well as how to effectively integrate the government's guiding role with the coordinating role of industry associations. Design/methodology/approach This study constructs an evolutionary game model and conducts simulation experiments to systematically analyze the strategic interactions among multiple stakeholders in the construction of ZWCS. It specifically examines the decision-making behaviors and evolutionary dynamics of the three core interest entities: the government, industry associations, and construction enterprises. Findings The study shows that the government plays a leading role in the incubation stage of ZWCS, and appropriate subsidies and penalties can dynamically adapt to the development of ZWCS at each stage, while high incremental costs inhibit the motivation of construction enterprises to build ZWCS. The participation of industry associations can transfer the regulatory functions of the government, save the cost of ZWCS, and help to stimulate the participation of all parties. Originality/value This study develops an effective governance framework for ZWCS, centered on government guidance, association coordination, and enterprise participation, by deciphering the underlying collaborative mechanisms among these three stakeholders. This approach offers a promising pathway to support the “Zero Waste City” initiative and contribute to high-quality development within the construction industry.
Liu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.