Research & Projects

Introduction

Professor James Rotimi is an internationally recognised researcher in Construction Economics, Project Management, and Sustainable Built Environment Studies. His research addresses real-world challenges in construction systems, disaster reconstruction, and circular economy — bridging academic insight with industry practice.

With over 240 peer-reviewed publications and more than NZD 12 million in research funding, Professor Rotimi’s scholarly contributions have significantly influenced both policy and professional practice in New Zealand and abroad.

Research Focus Areas

1. Construction Economics and Project Management

  • Cost planning, construction productivity, and project delivery systems

  • Performance improvement across construction organisations

  • Project governance and contract management

2. Sustainability and Circular Economy

  • Circular design principles in construction

  • Resource efficiency and waste minimisation

  • Transition pathways toward net-zero built environments

3. Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Resilience

  • Frameworks for housing and infrastructure recovery

  • Community resilience in post-disaster rebuilding

  • Comparative disaster recovery models (New Zealand, Africa, Asia-Pacific)

4. Facilities and Asset Management

  • Lifecycle management of buildings and infrastructure

  • Maintenance optimisation and digital asset monitoring

  • BIM integration for facilities performance

5. Construction Supply Chain and Procurement

  • Risk management and collaboration in construction networks

  • Innovation and knowledge transfer between industry and academia

Research Grants & Funded Projects

Civil Infrastructure Network Asset Creation, Maintenance, Upgrades, and Renewals

2025–2028

Role: Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)
Funding Body: Massey University Alumni Doctoral Scholarship
Value: NZD 75,000
Summary: Developing integrated frameworks for asset management and renewal within New Zealand’s civil infrastructure networks.

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Civil Infrastructure Network Asset Creation Maintenance Upgrades

Risk Management Framework for Renewable Energy Project Investment

2024–2027

Role: Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)
Funding Body: Massey University Doctoral Scholarship
Value: NZD 75,000
Summary: Establishing a structured model for evaluating investment risk in renewable energy construction projects.

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Risk Management Framework for Renewable Energy Project Investment pic

Pipeline Projects in New Zealand Post-Covid

2022–2024

Role: Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)
Funding Body: CanConstructNZ Research Scholarship
Value: NZD 23,000
Summary: Assessing the long-term resilience and performance of pipeline infrastructure in the post-pandemic economy.

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Pipeline Projects in New Zealand Post Covid pic

Creating Capacity and Capability for the New Zealand Construction Sector

2020–2025

Role: Work Package Lead
Funding Body: MBIE Endeavour Grant
Value: NZD 9.9 Million
Summary: Large-scale national project enhancing workforce skills, innovation, and productivity in New Zealand’s construction industry.

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Creating Capacity and Capability for the New Zealand Construction pic

Determinants of Construction Organisations’ Performance in New Zealand

2018–2022

Role: Principal Investigator (PI)
Funding Body: Higher Education Commission Scholarship Fund
Value: NZD 110,000
Summary: Investigating organisational drivers of efficiency and resilience in New Zealand’s construction companies.

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Determinants of Construction Organisations Performance in New Zealand pic

Building Information Modelling (BIM) Training and Knowledge Transfer

2016–2017

Role: Principal Investigator (PI)
Funding Body: Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF)
Value: NZD 14,000
Summary: Developing BIM-based educational models to enhance construction management training and industry readiness.

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Building Information Modelling BIM Training and Knowledge Transfer pic

Supervision and Mentorship

Professor Rotimi is deeply involved in research supervision and postgraduate mentoring. He has supervised:

  • 12+ PhD completions (as Principal Supervisor)

  • 4 current PhD candidates

  • Over 150 Masters dissertations and research theses

  • Examiner and reviewer for multiple international PhD theses

His supervision focuses on applied research in construction economics, sustainability, and post-disaster resilience — helping students build impactful, industry-relevant projects.

Publications and Research Outputs

Professor Rotimi has produced a prolific body of scholarly work. His research outputs include journal articles, conference papers, technical reports, and book chapters.

Publication Summary:

  • 150+ Journal Articles

  • 50+ Conference Papers

  • 10+ Book Chapters

  • 20+ Technical Reports and Industry Publications

Selected Publications:

  • Rotimi, J.O.B., et al. (2024). Circular Economy Frameworks in Construction Management. Journal of Construction Management and Economics.

  • Rotimi, J.O.B., & Wilkinson, S. (2023). Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Housing Recovery Models. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment.

  • Rotimi, J.O.B. (2022). Sustainability and Resource Efficiency in Construction Supply Chains. Built Environment Research Journal.

  • Rotimi, J.O.B. (2021). Governance and Capability in the New Zealand Construction Sector. Construction Economics and Building Journal.

International Research Collaborations

Professor Rotimi has established research partnerships with:

  • Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ)

  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

  • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

  • Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

  • Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

  • University of Johannesburg, South Africa

  • Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria

He regularly collaborates with multidisciplinary teams working on policy development, sustainability frameworks, and construction innovation.

Research Recognition

  • Best Paper Award, CIB World Building Congress (2025)

  • Top 2% Scientist in Construction Research (Global Ranking, 2024)

  • Outstanding Research Contribution Award, Massey University

  • Distinguished Keynote Speaker, International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (2023)

Research Profiles