Dauda, J A; Ajayi, S; Omotayo, T; Oladiran, O O and Ilori, O M (2024) Implementation of lean for small- and medium-sized construction organisational improvement. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 13(3), pp. 496-511. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the construction sector are highly vulnerable to disruptions caused by political and economic decisions or even pandemics. This study evaluated the current operations of selected SMEs providing engineering design and consultancy services against Toyota Production System (TPS) lean tool. The purpose is to juxtapose SME operations and processes with TPS to ascertain the level of their operations conformity to the established TPS lean thinking tool. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a qualitative data collection and analysis approach to evaluate the current processes of participating SMEs against Liker's 14 management principles of TPS. The data collected were analysed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes that emerged from the qualitative data. Findings: The analysis revealed that focus on short-term goals, immediate profit and duplication of effort resulting from insufficient collaboration is currently creating waste in participating SMEs' operations. Hence, the implementation of TPS was recommended as a lean tool and a framework based on TPS lean tool was developed for improving the operations of SMEs. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to SMEs operating only as consultants providing project planning design within the construction industry. Data collection is limited to qualitative even though observations would improve the outcome of the study. Originality/value: The study advances contemporary issues in promoting lean implementation in construction sector and developed an improved framework based on the TPS to enhance the performance of SME construction businesses.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | lean principles; small and medium-sized enterprise; Toyota Production System |
| Index terms: | engineering design, construction industry, implementation, pandemic, thematic analysis, collaboration, methodology, consultancy, project planning, construction sector, production system, profit |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, research methods, health risk and incident analysis, management, manufacturing engineering, design process, methods and analysis, economic analysis, contractual arrangements, organization, control systems |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Research Practice, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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