Benchmarking sustainability in construction: a CSF-based maturity index for developing economies

Purpose This study adopts a mixed-methods design to identify and validate 21 Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for sustainable construction, explicitly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach Grounded in Resource-Based View, Total Quality Management, system integration, and strategic management theories, the research integrates a quantitative survey (N = 450), expert consultations (n = 10), bibliometric mapping (VOS viewer; 101 publications), and a comparative case study analysis by 120 professionals using the Sustainability Maturity Index (SMI). Findings The resulting CSFs are classified into four perspectives: Individual Capabilities, Stakeholder Orientation, Organizational Enablers, and Governmental Programs using Factor analysis. Findings from three case studies show higher maturity in Governmental Programs (Avg. SMI = 5.96) and Individual Enablers (5.9), while Organizational and Stakeholder dimensions scored lower (5.5). The bibliometric analysis highlights research clusters in sustainability integration, lifecycle analysis, and green supply chains, with leading contributions from China, the UK, and the USA. Research limitations/implications The validated framework strengthens both theoretical debates and practical applications, offering a decision-support structure for aligning construction practices with SDGs and guiding policy interventions. Originality/value The originality lies in its structured categorization of CSFs tailored to developing-country contexts, enhancing project efficiency and advancing sustainable development.