Koskela, L J (2000) An exploration towards a production theory and its application to construction. DSc(Tech) thesis, Teknillinen Korkeakoulu (Helsinki), Finland.
Abstract
This thesis endeavors to answer to two specific questions. Is it possible to formulate a theory of production? Does such a theory add to our understanding and lead to improved performance when applied to construction? Historical analysis reveals that three different conceptualizations of production have been used in practice and conceptually advanced in the 20th century. Production has been viewed as a transformation, as a flow and as value generation. It is argued that all these conceptualizations are necessary, and they should be utilized simultaneously. The resulting transformation-flow-value generation model of production is called the TFV theory of production. It is noteworthy that this same new conceptualization also applies to product design and development, as revealed by a historical analysis of this field. A case study and the results of prior research on contemporary construction show that there are endemic management problems associated with both client decision-making, design management and construction management. An interpretation based on the TFV theory reveals that a significant part of these problems are self-inflicted, caused by the prevailing, limited view on production. Thus, the TFV theory largely explains the origins of construction problems. When initial implementation by pioneering companies of the construction industry is studied it is also clear that methods based on the TFV theory bring manifest benefits. The answer to the research questions can thus be summarized shortly. It is possible to formulate a theory of production, which also provides a new theoretical foundation for construction. The resultant TFV theory, even in its emergent state, already provides direction for experimentation and creation of new understanding and capabilities, both regarding construction research and practice.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case study; client; design management; theory of production |
| Index terms: | exploration, decision-making, design management, product design, value generation, experiment, construction industry, implementation, theory of production, case study, transformation |
| Subjects: | environmental resource management, contractual arrangements, innovation and technology management, economic analysis, design process, financial and cost management, data collection methods, business, decision analysis, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Cost Management, Research Practice, Design Practice, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Sustainability, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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