Forsman, S; Björngrim, N; Bystedt, A; Laitila, L; Bomark, P and Öhman, M (2012) Need for innovation in supplying engineer-to-order joinery products to construction: A case study in Sweden. Construction Innovation, 12(4), pp. 464-491. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - The construction industry has been criticized for not keeping up with other production industries in terms of cost efficiency, innovation, and production methods. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the knowledge about what hampers efficiency in supplying engineer-to-order (ETO) joinery-products to the construction process. The objective is to identify the main contributors to inefficiency and to define areas for innovation in improving this industry. Design/methodology/approach - Case studies of the supply chain of a Swedish ETO joinery-products supplier are carried out, and observations, semi-structured interviews, and documents from these cases are analysed from an efficiency improvement perspective. Findings - From a lean thinking and information modelling perspective, longer-term procurement relations and efficient communication of information are the main areas of innovation for enhancing the efficiency of supplying ETO joinery-products. It seems to be possible to make improvements in planning and coordination, assembly information, and spatial measuring through information modelling and spatial scanning technology. This is likely to result in an increased level of prefabrication, decreased assembly time, and increased predictability of on-site work. Originality/value - The role of supplying ETO joinery-products is a novel research area in construction. There is a need to develop each segment of the manufacturing industry supplying construction and this paper contributes to the collective knowledge in this area. The focus is on the possibilities for innovation in the ETO joinery-products industry and on its improved integration in the construction industry value chain in general.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | bespoke production; construction industry; engineer-to-order; information modelling; innovation; joinery production; lean production; structural timber; supply chain management; Sweden |
| Index terms: | coordination, site work, prefabrication, construction industry, case study, efficiency, value chain, Sweden, information modelling, engineer-to-order, documents, methodology, construction process, integration, cost efficiency, interview, lean production, manufacturing industry |
| Subjects: | manufacturing engineering, management, research methods, economics, performance management, Geography, professional development, value chain strategy, digital design, organizational analysis, building construction, industry analysis, data collection methods, site logistics |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Geographical Context, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Cost Management, Construction Technology, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Digital Applications, Site Management, Organizational Design |
| 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