Current condition and future directions for lean construction in highways projects : a small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perspective

Tezel, A, Koskela, LJ and Aziz, ZUH ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0797-1507 2018, 'Current condition and future directions for lean construction in highways projects : a small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perspective' , International Journal of Project Management, 36 (2) , pp. 267-286.

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the parameters defining how Lean Construction (LC) is being implemented (current condition) and how LC can be further promoted (future direction) from a Small-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) perspective. Although SMEs constitute the largest group in construction supply chains, LC, as an emerging phenomenon in civil construction project management, has been rarely investigated from an SMEs perspective. Also, overlooking the more macro factors like project governance and supply chain management, LC deployments have been mainly discussed from a production process perspective to date. After a review of the extant literature and 20 interviews with managers from the highways sector, a list of 31 current condition and 40 future direction statements were produced, classified under the delivery, process, training, project governance and supply chain related headings and used in a questionnaire survey with 110 responses. The current condition highlights problems like a short-term relations structure, competitive tendering mechanisms, fragmentation, problems in engaging with SMEs for LC, unstandardised LC techniques, and issues with convincing SMEs to deploy LC by demonstrating the business case on mutual benefits. Action items relating to the current project delivery structure were given the highest importance by the supply chain, alongside the LC training and project governance issues for the future of LC at highways SMEs. Additionally, a statistically significant correlation was identified among many future action items.

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of the Built Environment
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Project Management
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0263-7863
Related URLs:	Publication
Depositing User:	USIR Admin
Date Deposited:	07 Dec 2017 08:39
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2022 22:40
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/44409

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