Shurrab, J and Hussain, M (2018) An empirical study of the impact of lean on the performance of the construction industry in UAE. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 16(5), pp. 694-710. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual framework for the exploration of appropriate lean techniques applicable to medium and large construction companies and measure their impact on the competitiveness and economic performance of construction companies in United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey is conducted on 215 construction professionals in UAE to investigate the lean technique’s effect on the construction companies' performance. The data collected were analyzed with SPSS 20.0 version software using the Cronbach’s a reliability test, correlation coefficient test and Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test. Findings: Analysis of lean techniques in the construction industry reveals 21 lean techniques. These techniques were categorized into the six types of lean core values. Process focus was found to be the most applied type of construction core value in the surveyed companies. This is required to focus on applying other core values as it will impact the company’s economic performance positively. Research limitations/implications: The integrity of the research findings is based on the accuracy and reliability of collected data from 215 respondents working for construction companies in UAE, implementing lean construction techniques within a their daily activates and not achieving significant project achievements in terms of quality improvement, speed and cost reduction without adopting the overall lean construction framework. Practical implications: This research recommends a systematic approach for the implementation of the anticipated framework within a cyclical look-ahead period and emphasizes the practical implications of the proposed approach in the construction companies. Originality/value: Research significance emphasizes increasing the effectiveness of the construction industry and influences the development of lean construction framework, which improves lean construction practices using the lean techniques. This contributes to the effort of applying lean techniques in the construction industry. Limited studies have been done in the construction industry, mainly in UAE, compared to lean manufacturing.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; lean; lean manufacturing; waste |
| Index terms: | lean manufacturing, questionnaire, methodology, exploration, cost reduction, United Arab Emirates, conceptual framework, lean construction, accuracy, survey, construction company, competitiveness, effectiveness, construction professional, empirical study, implementation, construction industry, quality improvement, integrity |
| Subjects: | building construction, market analysis, industry analysis, performance management, economics, research methods, theoretical framing, manufacturing engineering, professional development, health safety and environment, Geography, environmental resource management, project delivery, contractual arrangements, organization, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Site Management, Quality Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here