Gao, S.; Low, S. P. and Tok, S. K. W. (2026) Applications of lean principles in the operations of architectural and engineering design firms: An exploratory study in Singapore. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(4), pp. 2649-2668. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – The Toyota Way was developed as an efficiency framework to streamline Toyota Motor Corporation's operational procedures. The collection of Toyota Way principles is often termed "lean". Over the last few years, nonmanufacturing organisations have begun to recognise the value and applicability of lean methods for their operations. Architectural and engineering design (AED) firms are no exception. This study aims to explore the perspectives of employees at AED firms on the implementation of lean production principles (LPPs) into their operations. Due to the limited resources available to facilitate our measurement of employees' views regarding the adoption of lean approaches, this study adopts a more scoped approach to employees' perceptions of these principles within AED firms. Design/methodology/approach – Fifty-two respondents participated in the survey. The interviewees were from firm A and firm B, an architecture firm and an engineering firm, and were chosen to help us gain a more in-depth understanding of their views regarding the LPPs. Findings – Our study indicates that AED offices were unfamiliar with the concepts of lean principles, even though they were aware of its importance in their daily operations. Despite their scepticism about the implementation of lean concepts, some lean principles are implemented in their own fields of work. Originality/value – This study complements earlier work on lean design that investigated the use of a particular lean technique by looking at the lean principles where some are implemented to a large extent, and some are not.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | architectural and engineering design firms; implementation; lean production principles; Singapore |
| Index terms: | Singapore, efficiency, engineering design, implementation, engineering firm, lean production, exploratory study, survey, methodology |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, research methods, manufacturing engineering, design process, Geography, data collection methods, performance management, firms |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Procurement, Quality Management |
| 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