Aka, A; Isah, A D; Salisu, O I and Bello, A O (2025) Students’ perception of strategies for effective lean knowledge in future Nigerian construction industry. Construction Innovation, 25(4), pp. 1171-1187. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: Waste has been a major challenge in the construction industry. Lean concepts have been adopted in developed nations to overcome waste. However, developing countries are still faced with the challenge due to a lack of strategies for effective lean knowledge by construction practitioners. The purpose of this research is to identify the strategies for lean knowledge in the future Nigerian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: This was achieved through a case study of a Nigerian university. Assignments and questionnaires were the two instruments used for data collection in the study. Content analysis was adopted to analyse the data obtained from the assignments, while statistical tools such as correlation and ANOVA analysis were used to analyse the questionnaire data. Findings: The findings of the study showed that the introduction of lean theory into students’ academic curriculum, lean practical classes and collaboration between universities, industry and lean construction institutes are some of the critical strategies for adequate lean knowledge in the future Nigerian construction industry. Research limitations/implications: The study is case-based and focused on a single university. The study did not also put clients’ level of lean knowledge as well as future required acquaintance into consideration. Practical implications: This study is important as it will enable students to have an adequate understanding of the concept of lean construction right from a higher institution level. This study will enable students to put the knowledge into practice in the construction industry, hence eliminating waste or NVAAs in future construction projects. Originality/value: The findings of the study could enhance concerted efforts by universities, lean construction institutes and the construction industry towards an intentional and systematic delivery of lean knowledge that will reduce waste in future Nigerian construction projects. Further studies should be carried out to identify the success factors required by clients for effective lean knowledge in construction projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; knowledge; lean; strategies; students; university |
| Index terms: | construction industry, success factor, methodology, collaboration, construction practitioner, case study, construction project, content analysis, developing country, questionnaire, lean construction, strategy |
| Subjects: | building construction, industry analysis, health monitoring assessment and metrics, production management, research methods, data analysis and analytics, professional development, data collection methods, management, development economics |
| Topics: | Site Management, International Construction, Health and Safety, Project Management, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Information Management |
| 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