Grenzfurtner, W and Gronalt, M (2021) Continuous improvement of the industrialised housebuilding order fulfilment process. Construction Innovation, 21(1), pp. 22-39. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: A deeper understanding of what needs to be considered to improve the targeted incorporation of employees’ knowledge into continuous improvement (CI) programmes in industrialised housebuilding (IHB) is required. This paper aims to address the current lack of involvement and connect it to structural and corporate culture factors. To avoid misjudgements in improvement activities as well as to use the full potential of performance improvement ideas, CI tools and measures need to be adapted to facilitate this integration. Relevant factors are analysed and their influences on CI measures are assessed. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach is built upon an explorative case study supported by a comprehensive literature review. Empirical data were collected through participant observation, guided interviews and company documents. Findings: The influences on employee involvement within CI programmes and the corresponding suitability of important CI measures were evaluated on a set of relevant factors. These factors include unique building projects, project-based focus on order fulfilment, fragmented order fulfilment process, separation of order fulfilment activities in terms of space and time, procedural rules for dealing with on-site failures, short-term contracts with subcontractors and the practice of evaluating and monitoring performance on site. Research limitations/implications: The research paves the way for the development of suitable tools, measures and methods to effectively involve employees from all profession within a CI programme in IHB. The empirical part of this research is based on a single case study. Originality/value: This work extends the body of knowledge of CI application in the construction industry with an analysis of factors influencing its implementation and management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | continuous improvement; employee involvement; industrialised housebuilding; off-site construction; organisational learning; prefabrication construction; quality management |
| Index terms: | housebuilding, quality management, prefabrication, construction industry, implementation, off-site construction, performance improvement, monitoring, profession, continuous improvement, case study, employee involvement, subcontractor, body of knowledge, suitability, documents, corporate culture, methodology, integration, programme, literature review, observation, organizational learning, interview |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, industry analysis, design criteria, sociology, building construction, project controls, organizational analysis, professional development, research methods, construction integration, performance measurement, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, knowledge management, psychology, institututions, practitioner, control systems, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Human Resources, Quality Management, Organizational Design, Site Management, Time Control, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Procurement |
| 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