Kim, D (2002) Exploratory study of lean construction: Assessment of lean implementation. PhD thesis, University of Texas at Austin, USA.
Abstract
Since Lean Construction has been introduced as a new management approach to improve productivity in the construction industry, much research is in progress to develop lean concepts and principles for better implementation and to get results of the successful adaptation of lean ideas from manufacturing for application in the construction industry. Currently, several construction companies in the USA are starting to implement lean construction with nebulous hopes of obtaining better results from their current projects than from past projects not employing lean construction. There are many difficulties in adopting lean concepts and systems into construction projects and implementing lean construction in real construction sites. Thus, there are demands to share information how other companies implement lean construction, to identify the benefits and barriers of lean implementation in the construction fields, and finally to improve their lean implementation. This study was the first exploratory study to assess lean construction implementation on overall projects. The case studies carried out the examination of the mutual relationships of lean planning systems, organization structure, attitudes of project participants and company strategy which played major influences on successful lean implementation. In conclusion, the study found that lean construction was efficient in managing project with lean tools, and was enough effective to improve other project successful factors associated with project accomplishment. Lean construction emphasized and focused on improvement of relationships among project participants. The study found that lean construction was made up of lean tools, human resources, and company strategies. Thus, successful lean implementation was observed when these lean tools, human resources, and company project strategies were well-combined and mutually supported. Even though lean construction still stood on the bridge crossing from current practice to lean practice, it is the researcher's conviction that lean construction would be successfully adapted to the construction industry in the near future and would be recognized as an effective management innovation. This study is anticipated to be a framework for future studies in the academic field and for future construction projects employing lean construction.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Tucker John D., R L B |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | bridge; innovation; lean construction; manufacturing; project strategies; productivity; case study; construction project; construction site |
| Index terms: | productivity, adaptation, case study, construction industry, implementation, future study, management innovation, construction site, strategy, exploratory study, construction company, project strategy, lean construction, human resource, construction project |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, user focus, research design and methodology, organization, contractual arrangements, strategic project management, work location, production management, management, research methods, industry analysis, building construction |
| Topics: | Procurement, Project Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Site Management, Design Practice, Human Resources |
| 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